From a Single Storefront in Colaba to India's Largest Footwear Retailer
Over seven decades, Metro Shoes has transformed from a modest Mumbai shop into a publicly listed empire of nearly a thousand stores- and it is still sprinting.
There is a particular kind of institutional confidence that only time can confer. Walk into any Metro Shoes outlet today- gleaming, curated, staffed with purpose- and it is easy to forget that the entire enterprise began as a single store in Colaba, Mumbai, in 1955. The founder, Malik Tejani, a shoe salesman in the pre-independence era, acquired the shop with a borrowed sum from a well-wisher when its owner departed during the turmoil of Partition. He named it after the Metro Cinema that stood nearby. That act of quiet ambition seeded what would eventually become one of the most recognisable consumer brands in India.
990
Stores Across India
(Dec 2025)
212
Cities in 31 States & UTs
₹33,274 Cr
Market Capitalisation
A Dynasty Built on the Shop Floor
What distinguishes Metro Brands from many of its peers is the continuity of its founding family across three generations. Malik Tejani established the ethos of quality and personal service that would define the brand. His son Rafique Malik took the reins at sixteen, and under his stewardship the business began its methodical march beyond Mumbai. Today, the company is led by Farah Malik Bhanji, Rafique’s daughter, who serves as Chief Executive Officer. It is she who has overseen the company’s most dramatic chapter: the shift from a respected regional retailer to a publicly listed, omnichannel national powerhouse.
When Farah entered the business, there were no barcodes on shoe boxes-prices were affixed by hand on stickers. She introduced data management, launched an online retail portal and drove the technological modernisation that positioned Metro for the digital age. “Passion remains intact in the family because selling footwear runs in their blood,” she has noted, summarising the delicate balance between inherited instinct and professional rigour that has guided the company’s evolution.
The IPO and a New Era of Growth
December 2021 marked a decisive inflection point. Metro Brands launched its initial public offering on the Indian exchanges, raising approximately ₹1,367 crore- an event that crystallised market confidence in the brand and provided fresh capital for aggressive expansion. The company has not looked back since. From roughly 598 showrooms in 136 cities at the time of the IPO, Metro Brands has grown its network to 990 stores across 212 cities and 31 states and union territories as of December 2025.
“At Metro, we’ve always believed that footwear should evolve with the way people live.”
-Alisha Malik, President, Metro Brands Limited
That trajectory- adding hundreds of stores in a few years- reflects not just aggressive capital deployment but a deliberate strategy built on what the company calls an asset-light model: third-party manufacturing through long-standing vendor partnerships, optimised store sizes and lean lease structures. The approach keeps overheads contained while allowing rapid geographic penetration, particularly in Tier II and Tier III cities where demand for organised footwear retail has surged.
A Portfolio Built for Every Indian
Metro Brands does not operate as a monolithic retailer. Its portfolio is a carefully stratified collection of own brands and premium international partners, each targeting a distinct customer segment. The group’s own labels include Metro (premium everyday), Mochi (fashion-forward), Walkway (value), Da Vinchi and J. Fontini (luxury formal). Alongside these, the company retails international names- Crocs, FitFlop, Fila, Skechers, Clarks, Puma, and Adidas- that elevate the overall proposition and attract aspirational consumers.
The footwear range is notably calibrated for regional sensitivity, acknowledging that a customer in Kolkata, Bengaluru or Jaipur has distinct preferences in silhouette, colour and occasion-wear. This local intelligence, accumulated over decades of direct retail, is one of the company’s most durable competitive advantages.
Innovation as a Corporate Habit
Metro Brands has demonstrated a consistent appetite for category innovation. In October 2024, it launched India’s first Foot Locker store at Nexus Select City Walk in New Delhi, bringing the globally recognised athletic retail concept to Indian consumers for the first time. Less than a year later, in November 2025, the company unveiled MetroActiv — a new multi-brand athletic sportswear retail destination designed to tap the surging demand for performance footwear among a fitness-conscious generation.
On the product side, September 2025 saw the debut of Metro Crossover, a menswear collection positioned between sneakers and formal shoes — a direct response to the blurring of dress codes in contemporary Indian workplaces. The collection’s tagline, “A Sneaker. Dressed Up.”, captures the cultural moment precisely: the modern professional who walks from a board meeting to a rooftop dinner without changing shoes.
Milestones at a Glance
Brand as Culture
Metro Shoes has increasingly positioned itself not merely as a retailer of footwear but as a cultural participant in the story of modern India. Its “Takes You to the New” campaign- a series of digital films exploring progressive Indian relationships, from pet parenthood to dual-income partnerships- reflects a deliberate attempt to connect the brand’s identity with evolving social values. The films have been directed with a lightness of touch that avoids the hectoring tone common to purpose-led advertising, choosing instead to observe its characters with warmth and specificity.
This brand investment is not merely aesthetic. In a market where value-segment competitors are intensifying and international direct-to-consumer brands are entering India with growing confidence, the ability to command premium pricing rests substantially on emotional resonance. Metro Shoes has built that resonance across three generations of customers, a form of loyalty that is extraordinarily difficult to replicate.
The Road Ahead
The financial picture reinforces the narrative of momentum. Net sales rose from ₹800 crore in March 2021 to over ₹2,507 crore in the four-quarter period ending March 2025. The company’s market capitalisation stands north of ₹33,000 crore, comfortably affirming its classification as a large-cap entity on the Indian exchanges. A quarterly net profit of ₹95 crore in March 2025, against an operating profit of ₹850 crore for the full year, signals healthy, if closely managed, margins as the company absorbs the costs of rapid network expansion.
Looking forward, the strategic priorities are visible: deepen penetration in athletic and performance categories through MetroActiv and Foot Locker, extend omnichannel capability, and continue expanding into smaller cities where discretionary consumption is rising. The ambition- articulated by Farah Malik Bhanji as becoming one of India’s top three footwear brands- is measurable and, given the trajectory, credible.
What began as an act of courage by a shoe salesman with a borrowed loan has become, seven decades on, one of India’s most watched retail stories. Metro Shoes has earned its place not through spectacle but through the compound interest of craftsmanship, customer trust and an uncommon willingness to change. In the footwear business, it turns out, knowing where you came from is the surest way to know where you are going.
Final Thoughts
Metro Shoes has built an impressive legacy since its founding in 1955, evolving from a single store in Mumbai into one of India’s largest footwear retail brands. With a diverse portfolio of footwear, accessories, and lifestyle products, along with a nationwide retail network spanning hundreds of cities, the company continues to play a significant role in India’s fashion and footwear industry. Its focus on quality, customer experience, and brand partnerships has helped it remain relevant across generations of consumers.
For shoppers seeking a blend of style, comfort, and trusted craftsmanship, Metro Shoes remains a leading example of an Indian brand that has successfully combined heritage with modern retail innovation. Its continued expansion reflects the growing strength of India’s homegrown fashion and lifestyle sector.
We have also created an article on best Indian shoes brands and bata india so you can check these article also.
FAQs
When was the company established?
The business began operations in 1955 and has grown into one of India’s largest footwear retail chains.
Is this an Indian footwear brand?
Yes, it is a homegrown company with a strong retail presence across the country.
What products are available?
The product portfolio includes formal shoes, casual footwear, sandals, sneakers, handbags, and fashion accessories.
How extensive is the retail network?
The company operates hundreds of outlets across numerous cities and states in India.
Are products available online?
Yes, customers can purchase products through the official website and various e-commerce platforms.
