Bata: The Czech Brand That Gave Us The Hawai Chappal!

Brand Excavations

1894, Czechoslovakia: A vibrant 18-year old Tomas Bata capitalises on his family’s generational shoemaking expertise and establishes T & A Bata Shoe Company with his siblings to mass produce shoes. Some desperate yet bold measures during World War 1 help them to expand their production to many international countries, thus making them one of the first mass producers in Europe. In 1931, they enter the Indian market and using powerful marketing tactics plant a strong foothold. Does it manage to stay in the game when local competition starts to corner its sales?

Brand Excavations is a podcast where we unearth the dramatic and real stories behind India’s most iconic brands. Find out how these companies have revolutionized what you buy and how you live!

Brought to you by Bound, a company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social platforms for updates on this podcast or take a look at their other podcasts.

In collaboration with Shruti Taneja, a marketing professional and an entrepreneur who is building Stumble, India’s first search engine to discover modern consumer brands and Paired, a matchmaking platform to optimize partnership marketing. Follow her on LinkedIn.

Produced by Aishwarya Javalgekar

Editing and soundtrack by Aditya Arya

Narration by Tavish Bhattacharya

Artwork by Artisto Designz

Subscribe to the Brand Excavations Newsletter and receive new brand stories in your inbox every week!