Bata to close Switzerland stores

Global footwear manufacturer and retailer Bata is to shut down all of its stores in Switzerland, where the brand is headquartered, as it looks to reposition the business in the country to address a shift in customers shopping patterns to buying online.

As part of a wider restructuring of the business, Bata has decided to close its remaining 29 stores in Switzerland, which will affect some 175 employees, claiming that the impact of e-commerce and fashion retailers entering into an “already-crowded” Swiss footwear market has “proved too much” to maintain the stores in the country.

Bata also notes that customers in Switzerland are changing their buying habits with more and more buying footwear and accessories through multi-branded retailers and e-commerce sites from France, Italy and Germany.

In a statement, Bata said: “Throughout this period, Bata Switzerland has been able to count on the support of its shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders.

“Bata is in the process of closing its remaining 29 stores in the country. This will affect some 175 employees. The company is looking for ways to minimise the social and financial impact on the employees.”

All employees have been informed about the closures and new job opportunities with other retailers for more than forty employees and apprentices have been found.

Moving forward Bata states that its business plans in Switzerland will be built around the brand “Bata”, and that products will continue to be available to Swiss customers through a multi-channel approach including multi-brand retailers, e-commerce (www.bata.com), and Bata dealers.

Bata retail stores in Italy, Spain, Czech and Slovak Republics and its domestic and international franchise businesses will continue to operate as they used to.

Image: Bata