VKC Group plans to reach 2,000 footwear stores by FY28

Footwear brand VKC Group plans to expand its franchise brick-and-mortar footprint across India and reach a total of 2,000 outlets by the 2028 financial year. The Kerala-based business also plans to expand its product offering beyond footwear to include select garments and accessories. 

“We have ambitious plans to become the number one brand in the country in terms of the number of retail exclusive outlets,” VKC Group’s managing director VKC Razak told India Retailing in an interview. “Currently, we aim to have over 2,000 stores by the end of fiscal year 2028, with all of them being franchise-owned. Our primary focus is on South India for now, followed by Maharashtra, and we are in discussions to expand into other states as well.”

VKC Group also plans to expand its product offering beyond footwear to include garments such as t-shirts and trousers designed for walking as well as accessories such as belts, socks, and wallets which it will source from external manufacturers for its own brand. The business aims to launch a sustainable product line online to both diversify its offering and cater to the rising consumer demand for eco-responsible products. 

“The focus will be on catering to customers who prioritise recyclability and eco-friendliness, which is why we plan to introduce such products on e-commerce platforms,” said VKC Razak. “These customers are willing to pay a bit more for sustainable options with maximum recyclable components. However, making these products accessible to the mass market might not be feasible due to the higher cost of raw materials and the associated production costs. The company believes there is a specific customer segment that can afford these higher-priced sustainable products. Once launched, the hope is that the product will perform well, as even a small volume could generate higher revenue due to the premium pricing. The groundwork for this initiative is nearly complete, and we plan to launch the first products within three months.”

VKC Group was established in 1984, Your Story reported. Along with its India operations, the business also exports its footwear to around 18 countries globally.