• Acquires 100% stake in Footwear Retailer Ltd, formerly known as Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Limited

Softlogic Retail Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings PLC has been granted the manufacturing license, distribution rights, and the exclusive retail franchise rights for ‘Bata’ and ‘Bata’ products in Sri Lanka.
The announcement was made via a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday.

Softlogic Retail Holdings has also acquired the 100 percent stake in Footwear Retailer Ltd, formerly known as Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Limited on 14 September 2023 for a value of Rs. 293,000,000.
The incorporation of the company dates back to 1950 and has over a period of 73 years manufactured and distributed Bata products in Sri Lanka.

Footwear Retailer Ltd (Bata Shoe Company of Ceylon Limited) employs over 150 staff and is equipped with a manufacturing plant in Ratmalana. It has a wide network of retail stores and department stores with a product portfolio of more than 20 brands and labels, such as Bata, North Star, Power, Bubblegummers, Weinbrenner, Sandak, Ambassador.

“Bata” is a well-established international brand for high quality, scientifically and uniquely designed footwear and in the Sri Lankan context, a renowned household name since the 1950s.
“Softlogic Retail Holdings (Pvt) Ltd wishes to embark on the journey to revive and re-position “Bata” and Bata products by bringing it back as the No.1 brand in the footwear industry in Sri Lanka,” Softlogic Holdings said in the filing.

Softlogic Retail aims to tap into Bata’s deep history and evolution of interweaving technology and unique designs in manufacturing Bata footwear. It also aims to open the gateway for new seasonal designs to be launched in Sri Lanka concurrently with the Bata’s international seasonal launches, giving the customers the experience and opportunity to purchase the season’s newest, best quality and unique footwear in Sri Lanka.