The passing away of Thomas Bata in Toronto day before yesterday brings to mind some thoughts about the brand that was synonymous with footwear till some time back. Even though there are a number of other makes available and I have also bought them, I must confess, I am most comfortable with Bata. It’s obviously because I have grown up seeing this and only this brand.
The most remarkable “non-shoe” thought that springs to mind is the price. I don’t know if they were the first to introduce, but Bata footwear were (and still are) uniquely priced at a few paise less than the nearest round figure. For example: Rs 97.99; Rs 976.98, etc. The effect, undeniably, is dramatic. They are as good as Rs 100 or Rs 1,000. Whenever I find a similar price anywhere, I remember the Bata price.
There always used to be a Carona Shoe store opposite a Bata showroom. I don’t know if that trend continues. I have seen that mostly in Thiruvananthapuram (then Trivandrum), capital of Kerala, where I grew up.
Even though during those days Bata had the monopoly, the staff were courteous and the products were quite good. They never made us feel the lack of competition. It was in the early 1990s that other shoemakers began to make their presence felt in a big way in India. And, Bata did well, and still does well, to innovate and stay in the race.
Not many people know that Bata was originally a Czechoslovakian company, which was moved to Canada following threats of German invasion. Now its headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland. India continues to be one of the countries where Bata has a good presence.
I still love Bata.
Still go to their stores and pick up my sandals and shoes from them.
Thanks for sharing this info on Bata..
this company still knows how to sell and I still love the brand…
Thanks. I had not known Bata was a non-Indian company:) Bata was so intermingled with our life – the back to school days always meant a visit to the local Bata store (yes, next to a Carona one, even around Ernakulam – better known as Cochin now – where I grew up)
I am not wearing a Bata for the past couple of years… but I am sure next visit to Kerala I will buy one of those.
@ Thanks Manpreet & Happy Kitten.
@ Riyaz, even I used to think Bata was an Indian company.
🙂 I remember being handed a note from school for not wearing shoes of Bata make. It was part of the uniform. Today even my daughters of NPS INR are strictly instructed to wear Bata make shoes.
And don’t forget the prices – always one paise short of a full rupee – 69.99 and so on.
Quality – always the best. My first choice for durability.
It was when I read Vikram Seth’s book’ A Suitable Boy’ that I realised that Bata is not Indian, but Czech.
Bata is so linked to middle class values and childhood. The value for money and wholesome things- Colgate-hamam – Macmillan -brown paper and labels – its all mixed up with school memories. And yes, Bata is still the best ‘fit ‘ for me.
Indrani, Raji, Kalyani… Thanks for the comments. Bata seems to be quite popular even though there are many other brands available.
I seem to have missed this post of yours – my experience with Bata – a favorite for a long time was recorded in these two blogs
http://maddy06.blogspot.com/2007/10/bare-footed-eleven.html
http://maddy06.blogspot.com/2006/06/sangada-mukku-crying-corner.html