Sandeep Kataria’s tenure as the global CEO of Bata Corporation marked a historic milestone, as he became the first Indian to lead the 130-year-old Swiss footwear giant. His decision to step down, announced in June 2025, has drawn attention to his transformative leadership and the legacy he leaves behind. Kataria, who joined Bata in 2017 and ascended to the global CEO role in 2020, is set to remain with the company for six months to ensure a smooth leadership transition. As Bata prepares to appoint Panos Mytaros as his successor, effective September 15, 2025, this blog explores Kataria’s journey, his impact on Bata, his career background, and what his departure means for the iconic footwear brand.
A Trailblazer’s Journey: From IIT to Global CEO
Sandeep Kataria, born in 1970, brought a wealth of experience to Bata. An alumnus of IIT-Delhi and XLRI Jamshedpur, he built a formidable career spanning over 24 years before joining Bata. His professional journey included leadership roles at global giants like Unilever, Yum Brands, managing brands like KFC and Pizza Hut, and Vodafone, where he honed his expertise in consumer behavior, brand management, and strategic operations across India and Europe. This diverse background equipped him with a unique perspective when he joined Bata India as CEO in 2017.
Kataria’s appointment as global CEO in November 2020 was a landmark moment, not only for Bata but also for Indian corporate leadership. Succeeding Alexis Nasard, who led the company for nearly five years, Kataria took the helm at a challenging time. The global footwear industry was grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting consumer preferences toward casual and athleisure styles, and the rise of digital retail. His leadership was defined by bold strategies to modernize Bata’s brand, streamline operations, and position India as a critical hub for design and sourcing.
Transforming Bata: Kataria’s Impact on the Brand
Under Kataria’s stewardship, Bata underwent a significant transformation, adapting to a rapidly evolving retail landscape. Founded in 1894 in Zlín, now in the Czech Republic, Bata is a family-owned business with a presence in over 70 countries, selling approximately 150 million pairs of shoes annually across nearly 20 brands, including Bata, Power, North Star, and Weinbrenner. Kataria’s vision was to keep this legacy relevant in a competitive, digitally disrupted market.
Revitalizing Brand Identity
Kataria spearheaded campaigns like “Surprisingly Bata,” which repositioned the brand as vibrant and contemporary, targeting younger consumers. This initiative helped shed Bata’s traditional image, aligning it with modern fashion trends and appealing to a new generation of buyers. His focus on brand refresh included curated product lines and enhanced store experiences, making Bata a go-to choice for both style and affordability.
Driving Digital Transformation
Recognizing the shift to e-commerce, Kataria accelerated Bata’s digital agenda. He oversaw the integration of advanced analytics and technology-driven tools, such as customer single-view systems at point-of-sale, to personalize shopping experiences. The relaunch of the Bata Club loyalty program, with 15 million active members, was a key achievement, leveraging data to drive targeted campaigns. Initiatives like the “Bata Store on Wheels,” introduced in over 35 Indian cities, brought safe and convenient shopping to residential complexes during the pandemic, further boosting accessibility.
Strengthening India’s Role
Under Kataria, India emerged as Bata’s largest market by volume and its second-largest sourcing and design hub after Italy. Bata India, with over 1,960 stores and four manufacturing facilities, sells about 50 million pairs of shoes annually and serves 120,000 customers daily. Kataria’s strategic focus on India as a design and sourcing hub enhanced the company’s global supply chain agility, positioning it to meet changing consumer demands, particularly the shift toward casual and athleisure footwear.
Financial Growth
Kataria’s leadership drove impressive financial results. Between FY21 and FY25, Bata India’s revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate of 20%, rising from ₹1,707 crore to ₹3,554 crore. The company doubled its profits through double-digit topline growth, despite a challenging FY25 marked by a 27.8% year-on-year drop in Q4 net profit to ₹45.92 crore and a 1.2% revenue decline to ₹788.21 crore. Kataria’s focus on inventory management, store rationalization, and franchise-led expansion into semi-urban markets helped mitigate demand headwinds and improve operational efficiency.
Navigating Challenges: A Mixed Performance in FY25
Despite Kataria’s successes, Bata faced challenges in FY25, reflecting broader industry trends. The shift away from formal shoes and a slowdown in consumer spending impacted performance. While full-year net profit rose 46% to ₹330.66 crore, Q4 results showed a decline, with revenue and profit affected by market headwinds. However, Kataria’s strategies, such as adding 19 franchise stores and optimizing inventory, ensured volume growth and laid the groundwork for future recovery.
A Leader’s Departure: What Lies Ahead for Kataria
Kataria’s resignation, announced on June 16, 2025, comes as he seeks to explore new professional opportunities. While his next move remains undisclosed, his decision to stay on for six months demonstrates his commitment to a seamless transition. The Bata Group has appointed Panos Mytaros, an industry veteran with extensive leadership experience, as the new global CEO, effective September 15, 2025. Mytaros is expected to build on Kataria’s foundation, continuing to drive innovation and growth.
Kataria’s exit has sparked discussions in business circles, with industry observers acknowledging his role in elevating Indian leadership on the global stage. His contribution to making India a design and sourcing hub has been widely praised, with some expressing curiosity about his future endeavors. His departure coincides with a period of industry flux, but his legacy of modernizing Bata and strengthening its global footprint remains undeniable.
The Kapoor Connection: A Clarification
While this blog focuses on Sandeep Kataria’s professional journey, it’s worth noting that he shares no direct connection with Shraddha Kapoor or her family, despite the shared surname. Shraddha Kapoor, the Bollywood actress, hails from a cinematic lineage with her father, Shakti Kapoor, a veteran actor. Kataria, on the other hand, is a corporate leader rooted in engineering and management. This clarification addresses potential confusion, as the user’s previous queries included Shraddha Kapoor, ensuring a clear distinction between these prominent figures.
Why Kataria’s Tenure Matters
Sandeep Kataria’s leadership at Bata was a game-changer. His ability to navigate a global pandemic, modernize a historic brand, and position India as a strategic hub showcases his strategic acumen. Joining the ranks of Indian leaders like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, Kataria’s tenure as the first Indian global CEO of Bata is a proud moment for Indian corporate leadership.
As Bata moves forward under new leadership, Kataria’s contributions will continue to shape its trajectory. His focus on digital innovation, brand revitalization, and operational efficiency has positioned Bata for future growth in a competitive market. Industry observers and fans alike await his next move, confident that his expertise will continue to make waves in the corporate world.
Disclaimer: This blog is based on publicly available information from verified news sources, media reports, and industry discussions, intended for informational purposes only.
