Bata
Bata Group · Czech Republic
Bata is a family-owned footwear company founded in 1894 in Zlín, in today's Czech Republic, by Tomáš, Antonín and Anna Baťa, and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland since 2004. It operates thousands of stores worldwide under Bata and brands such as North Star, Power and Bubblegummers. Bata is one of the largest shoe makers and retailers in history.
| Founded | 1894, Zlín |
|---|---|
| Founders | Tomáš, Antonín and Anna Baťa |
| Ownership | Private, Bata family |
| Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Global CEO | Panos Mytaros (since 2025) |
| Stores | About 5,800 in 56 countries |
| Website | bata.com |
What is Bata?
Bata is a global footwear manufacturer and retailer that describes its mission as creating shoes for everyone, everywhere. The privately held, family-owned group is headquartered in Lausanne and operates around 5,800 stores in 56 countries, with 17 factories and more than 32,000 employees, according to the company.
History
The company was founded on 21 September 1894 in Zlín, Moravia, then part of Austria-Hungary, by Tomáš Baťa and his siblings Antonín and Anna. Under Tomáš Baťa it pioneered industrial shoe production and built company towns and factories across several continents. After the Second World War and the nationalisation of its Czechoslovak operations, the family rebuilt the business abroad. Bata moved its headquarters to Lausanne in 2004. In 2004 Guinness World Records named it the largest shoe seller and manufacturer of all time, with more than 14 billion pairs sold.
In September 2025 Panos Mytaros joined as global chief executive.
Products and positioning
Bata focuses on affordable, durable footwear for the whole family. Its portfolio includes:
- Bata, the core family footwear brand
- Power, for sport and athleisure
- North Star, for fashion sneakers and casual shoes
- Bubblegummers, for children
- Weinbrenner and Bata Industrials, for outdoor, work and safety footwear
- AW LAB, a sneaker retail format
Business model and distribution
Bata is primarily a vertically integrated retailer, combining its own factories with company-operated and franchised stores, regional e-commerce sites and some wholesale. It runs the business through regional hubs in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America, India and Europe, with the European hub in Padua, Italy.
Why it matters
Bata's scale in emerging markets, particularly in South Asia, Africa and Latin America, makes it one of the most important footwear retailers outside the premium segment. Its history also offers an early example of vertically integrated mass production and retail, decades before the model became common in fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bata a Swiss or Czech company?
Bata was founded in 1894 in Zlín, in what is now the Czech Republic. Its group headquarters has been in Lausanne, Switzerland, since 2004.
Who owns Bata?
Bata is a private, family-owned business controlled by the Bata family. Day-to-day operations are led by global chief executive Panos Mytaros, who joined in September 2025.