India — Bata India has appointed Sanjay Rao as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it looks to accelerate growth and deepen its consumer and retail presence in India.
Rao succeeds Gunjan Shah, who completed five years leading the company. The appointment comes at a time when India’s retail and consumer sector continues to evolve rapidly through digital transformation, changing consumer preferences, and increasing demand for premium and lifestyle-focused products.
Bata India is one of the country’s largest footwear and retail brands, operating an extensive network of stores and digital commerce platforms across India. The company has been focusing on product innovation, omnichannel retail expansion, customer experience, and strengthening its position in the growing lifestyle and fashion footwear segment.
Rao brings more than two decades of leadership experience across retail, consumer business, and international market operations spanning India, South Asia, China, and Europe.
Prior to joining Bata India, he served as Senior Director at Nike, where he oversaw retail operations for the France and Benelux markets. During his tenure, he worked on retail growth, consumer engagement, and business expansion initiatives across key European markets.
Commenting on the appointment, Bata Group CEO Panos Mytaros said India remains one of the company’s most important markets and a major long-term growth opportunity for the global footwear group.
“The next chapter must be about becoming even closer to consumers, strengthening our relevance, responding faster to trends and giving consumers the shoes they want for every part of their lives,” Mytaros said.
He added that Rao’s international retail experience, consumer understanding, and leadership background make him well positioned to lead Bata India’s next phase of growth.
Bata India Chairman Ashwani Windlass also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing CEO Gunjan Shah, stating that his leadership helped strengthen the business, improve consumer experience, and build a strong operational foundation for the company.
Industry analysts note that retail and consumer brands are increasingly hiring leaders with strong international and digital retail experience as companies compete to strengthen omnichannel capabilities, improve customer engagement, and respond more quickly to changing fashion and lifestyle trends.
Rao’s appointment reflects Bata India’s broader strategy to strengthen its market leadership through consumer-focused innovation, operational expansion, and enhanced retail experiences across physical and digital channels.
As Managing Director and CEO, Rao is expected to focus on accelerating growth, strengthening brand relevance, expanding retail and digital operations, and driving the company’s long-term business strategy in India’s competitive footwear and lifestyle market.
Bata India is one of the country’s largest footwear and retail brands, operating an extensive network of stores and digital commerce platforms across India. The company has been focusing on product innovation, omnichannel retail expansion, customer experience, and strengthening its position in the growing lifestyle and fashion footwear segment.
