Bata India Ltd. has appointed Sanjay Rao as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer marking a leadership transition at the footwear major.
Rao succeeds Gunjan Shah, who has led the company for more than five years. Shah’s last working day with Bata India will be September 30, while Rao is set to assume charge on August 25.
Rao is a seasoned retail executive with more than two decades of experience across global consumer and fashion markets. He joins Bata India from Nike, where he most recently served as Senior Director, Nike Retail – France & Benelux. In this role, he led the sportswear giant’s retail operations across key European markets. Prior to that, he oversaw Nike’s retail business in France and Francophone Europe, strengthening the company’s direct-to-consumer and retail growth strategies.
His appointment comes as Bata India continues to sharpen its focus on premiumisation, omnichannel expansion and strengthening its position in the country’s highly competitive footwear market.
Before joining Nike, Rao served as President and Director General of Guess France between 2017 and 2022, where he led the brand’s operations in the French market. Earlier, he spent over a decade with Inditex, holding several senior leadership positions across Asia, North America and Europe.
Among his most notable achievements was leading the launch and expansion of Zara in India through Inditex’s joint venture with the Tata Group. As Managing Director and Board Member for Zara and Massimo Dutti in India, Rao played a pivotal role in establishing the Spanish fashion retailer’s presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets. He also served as Managing Director of ITX Trading for South Asia and previously led Inditex’s operations in Northern China.
His international career also includes leadership roles overseeing Zara’s businesses in the United States and Canada, as well as earlier stints at The TJX Companies, Model N and Citi.
An MBA graduate from INSEAD, Rao brings extensive expertise in retail operations, market expansion, brand building and consumer-led growth. His experience spans India, South Asia, China, North America and Europe, making him one of the most globally experienced executives in the retail sector.
Industry observers expect Rao’s appointment to support Bata India’s growth ambitions as the company accelerates investments in digital commerce, retail expansion and product innovation while strengthening its connection with Indian consumers.
The leadership transition marks a significant development for Bata India as it navigates evolving consumer preferences and intensifying competition in the footwear and lifestyle segments.
