Investment
₹2 - 5 Lakhs
Profit Margin
25-40%
Location Type
Commercial Area
Business Description
Starting a footwear shop business in India is one of the most profitable and evergreen retail business ideas. Shoes, sandals, slippers, and sports footwear are daily-use essential products, making this business highly sustainable with high market demand and stable profit margins.
With the growth of fashion awareness, branded footwear, and organized retail, the Indian footwear market is expanding rapidly. Whether you plan to open a small footwear store, branded outlet, franchise store, or multi-brand shoe showroom, this business offers excellent growth opportunities.
In this article, we will provide a complete step-by-step guide on how to start a footwear shop in India, covering investment, profit margin, licenses, location, business plan, setup cost, marketing strategies, and growth tips.
Footwear Shop Business Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Category | Retail |
| Business Type | Trading |
| Initial Investment | ₹2 – 5 Lakhs |
| Profit Margin | 25% – 40% |
| Skills Required | Management & Customer Handling |
| Market Demand | High |
| Location Type | Commercial Area |
| Licenses Required | GST Registration |
Why Start a Footwear Shop Business in India?
The Indian footwear industry is the second-largest in the world after China. Rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and fashion trends are fueling massive growth.
Key Benefits of Footwear Business
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High daily demand product
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Suitable for small, medium & large entrepreneurs
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Good profit margin (25%–40%)
-
Easy inventory management
-
High repeat customers
-
Low risk compared to many retail businesses
Market Scope & Growth Potential
The Indian footwear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10–12%. With increasing youth population, e-commerce impact, and brand awareness, retail footwear stores are seeing strong walk-in traffic.
High Demand Footwear Segments
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Men’s formal & casual shoes
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Ladies’ sandals & heels
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Kids’ school shoes
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Sports & gym footwear
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Slippers & flip-flops
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Ethnic footwear (juttis, mojaris, kolhapuris)
Types of Footwear Shop Models
You can start your footwear shop under different business models:
1. Multi-Brand Footwear Store
Sell products from multiple brands and local manufacturers.
2. Single Brand Franchise Store
Partner with brands like Bata, Relaxo, Campus, Lakhani, Liberty, Paragon, Sparx.
3. Budget Footwear Store
Low-cost products for price-sensitive customers.
4. Premium Footwear Boutique
Designer and branded footwear for premium customers.
5. Online + Offline Hybrid Store
Physical shop + online selling through WhatsApp, Instagram, and marketplaces.
Footwear Shop Business Investment & Setup Cost
Total Investment: ₹2 – ₹5 Lakhs
| Expense Head | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Shop Rent & Deposit | ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Interior & Shelving | ₹40,000 – ₹80,000 |
| Initial Stock Purchase | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| Billing System & POS | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Branding & Marketing | ₹10,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Licenses & Registration | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Total | ₹2 – ₹5 Lakhs |
Profit Margin & Monthly Income Potential
Profit Margin
-
Wholesale sourcing: 30–40%
-
Branded footwear: 25–35%
Monthly Sales Example
-
Average daily sales: ₹5,000 – ₹15,000
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Monthly revenue: ₹1.5 – ₹4.5 Lakhs
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Net profit: ₹40,000 – ₹1,50,000 per month
With good location and branding, profits can grow much higher.
Best Location for Footwear Shop
Location plays a critical role in success.
Ideal Locations
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Main market areas
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Near schools & colleges
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Shopping streets
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Residential commercial zones
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Bus stands, metro stations, railway areas
Ideal Shop Size
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150 – 400 sq. ft.
Licenses & Legal Requirements
To start a footwear shop in India, you need:
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GST Registration (Mandatory)
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Shop & Establishment Act License
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Trade License (From Municipal Authority)
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Udyam MSME Registration (Optional but Beneficial)
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Current Bank Account
How to Start a Footwear Shop – Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Market Research
Study:
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Local demand
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Competitors
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Price range
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Popular footwear categories
Step 2: Finalize Business Model
Decide between:
-
Franchise or
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Independent multi-brand store
Step 3: Select Location
Choose high footfall commercial location.
Step 4: Vendor & Supplier Selection
Source from:
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Agra (UP)
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Kanpur (UP)
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Delhi wholesale markets
-
Haryana footwear clusters
Step 5: Shop Setup & Display
Good lighting, attractive display racks, and proper seating area.
Step 6: Staff Hiring
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1–2 sales staff
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Billing operator (optional)
Step 7: Marketing Launch
Promotions, banners, opening offers, social media ads.
Best Footwear Wholesale Markets in India
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Agra – Biggest footwear manufacturing hub
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Kanpur – Leather shoe hub
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Delhi – Sadar Bazaar, Gandhi Nagar
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Bahadurgarh – Haryana
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Chennai – Leather footwear market
Marketing Strategies for Footwear Shop Business
Offline Marketing
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Attractive shop board
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Opening discounts
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Festival offers
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Local newspaper ads
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Pamphlet distribution
Online Marketing
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Google Business Profile
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Instagram & Facebook page
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WhatsApp Business catalog
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Local SEO optimization
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Influencer collaborations
Growth & Expansion Opportunities
Once established, you can expand into:
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Multiple outlets
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Online selling
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Franchise model
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Wholesale supply
-
Private label footwear brand
Challenges in Footwear Business & Solutions
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| High competition | Unique design, better service |
| Seasonal sales | Festival promotions |
| Dead stock | Clearance sales |
| Price wars | Value-added service |
Future Scope of Footwear Business in India
With increasing urban lifestyle, gym culture, sports trends, and fashion awareness, footwear demand will continue rising, making it a future-proof retail business.
Conclusion
Starting a footwear shop business in India with an investment of ₹2–5 Lakhs can generate ₹40,000 to ₹1.5 Lakhs monthly profit. With the right location, product mix, pricing strategy, and customer service, this business can become a highly scalable retail venture.
