Kothari Industrial Expands Footwear Reach with Zodiz, Jeetlo Acquisition

Rapid Summary

• Acquisition Details: KICL, a D C Kothari group company, is acquiring footwear brands Zodiz and Jeetlo for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will formalize on August 4, 2025.
• Brands: Zodiz (promoted by Coimbatore-based Zaimus Trends Pvt Ltd) offers affordable footwear. Jeetlo (promoted by Haryana-based Jeetlo.Com India Pvt Ltd) has a strong presence in e-commerce platforms.
• market Strategy: Focus on tier-II and tier-III cities with products priced under Rs 1,000 to tap underserved consumer segments and align with evolving fashion trends while maintaining affordability.
• Footwear Market Insights:

– Footwear under Rs 1,000 accounts for roughly 80% of consumption.
– The sector is valued at Rs 80,000-85,000 crore annually.

• Growth Outlook: Domestic per capita footwear consumption is currently at 1.9 pairs per annum; expected to double by 2030 amid changing preferences where footwear transcends utility into personal style.
• Expansion Moves: Previous acquisitions include overseas brand Kickers. KICL operates a non-leather footwear park in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur district.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

KICL’s acquisition of Zodiz and Jeetlo signals strategic intent to strengthen its presence in India’s mass-market footwear segment-dominated by budget-conscious consumers with products under Rs 1,000 constituting the majority of demand. their targeted approach towards tier-II and III cities aligns well with the socio-economic fabric where affordability drives buying decisions but evolving style preferences present opportunities for differentiation.

The projected doubling of per capita consumption presents notable growth potential for the domestic market over this decade; this move positions KICL to not just participate but lead in these shifts through widespread accessibility and alignment with fast-changing buyer behavior trends.

Additionally,emphasis on non-leather options alongside investments like the Tamil nadu facility reflects adaptation toward sustainability challenges globally while catering locally focused demands effectively positioned amidst industry conversion.