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Metro Brands

Overview

Metro Brands Limited is an Indian footwear retail company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It operates one of the largest organised footwear retail networks in India, selling branded shoes, sandals, and accessories for men, women, and children through a multi-brand store format.

Key facts

Type Public company
Industry Footwear retail
Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Founder Malik Tejani
Chairman Rafique Malik
Stock exchanges BSE, NSE
Key retail banners Metro, Mochi, Walkway, Crocs (franchise), Fitflop

Background

The company traces its origins to a single store opened in Mumbai in 1955 by Malik Tejani. Over subsequent decades it expanded from a regional family-run shoe shop into a national chain, broadening its assortment from value footwear to mid- and premium-segment branded products.

Under the leadership of Rafique Malik, son of the founder, Metro Brands transitioned to a multi-brand, multi-format retail model. The company sells both third-party brands and its own labels, and additionally operates as a franchisee for international footwear brands in India.

History and timeline

  • 1955: First Metro Shoes store opened in Mumbai by Malik Tejani.
  • Late 20th century: Expansion into multiple cities across India under the Metro and Mochi banners.
  • 2007–2008: Launch of the Walkway value-retail format.
  • 2021: Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India following an initial public offering.

Operations

Metro Brands operates stores across Indian metros, Tier-I and Tier-II cities, located in high-street locations and shopping malls. Its store banners are positioned at different price points:

  • Metro – mid-to-premium family footwear.
  • Mochi – premium fashion footwear and accessories.
  • Walkway – value and economy footwear.
  • Crocs – operated as a franchise partner in India.

The company sources from a mix of third-party manufacturers and contract suppliers, and sells through physical retail, its own e-commerce site, and online marketplaces.

Significance

Metro Brands is among the prominent organised players in the Indian footwear retail industry, a sector that remains largely unorganised. Its long operating history, multi-brand portfolio, and listed status make it a frequently cited reference in studies of Indian organised retail and lifestyle consumption. The company drew wider public attention when veteran investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was reported to be among its notable shareholders around the time of its public listing.

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