Written By: Gouri Ghosh

The Indian footwear sector is expanding rapidly. The Indian footwear market in 2026 is valued at over ₹90,000 crore and is predicted to expand at a rate of 8–10% during the next five years. This expansion is due to increased incomes, increased fashion consciousness, and the need for both comfortable and fashionable footwear. For entrepreneurs, opening a footwear franchise in India 2026 is a wise decision. Rather than establishing a new brand from the ground up, you can partner with a reputable name with the help of the footwear franchise business in India. It offers you advantages such as a pre-existing customer base, robust supply chain, and a tested business model.

Footwear, while essential, is also a fashion statement. Whether it's casual or high-end sports footwear, the demand is growing across all segments. This makes a footwear franchise in India a recession-proof and safe business opportunity.

Why invest in Footwear Franchises in India 2026?

Demand for footwear franchises in India 2026 is greater than ever before. Here's why:

• Increased disposable incomes – Lots of people are spending on branded footwear across metros and towns.
• Health & fitness awareness – Sports and comfort footwear are booming in demand.
• Shift to branded products – Customers value known brands over unorganized local stores.
• Franchise benefits – Entrepreneurs have access to established supply chains, marketing assistance, and brand credibility.
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If you’re planning to invest in a footwear franchise business in India, 2026 is the right year to step in.

Top 10 Footwear Franchise Brands in India 2026

Here are the top 10 footwear franchises in India 2026 that offer strong business potential:

Bata

One of India’s oldest and most trusted footwear brands. Bata is expanding its Floatz line to 500 new towns in 2026.

• Products: Formal, casual, kids', and women's footwear at economical prices.
• Franchise Model: 1000+ stores in India.
• Investment: ₹30–50 lakhs (approx.).
• Recent News : Bata plans to take Floatz to a ₹800 crore brand in 5 years, with a focus on expansion of franchise in new towns.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Expansion into 500 new towns has huge franchise opportunities.
• Strong brand recall minimizes business risk.
• The inexpensive range has a broad customer appeal.
• Excellent footwear franchise in India 2026 opportunity.

Liberty Shoes

Domestic Indian brand with international reach. Liberty is growing rapidly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in 2026.

• Products: Fashion, sports, lifestyle, and formal shoes.
• Investment: ₹20–35 lakhs
• Store Size: 800–1000 sq. ft.
• Recent News / Updates: Liberty is still expanding to smaller cities and opening new franchise outlets to tap the emerging youth and middle-class market.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Increased presence in smaller cities offers new franchise opportunities. 
• Large product portfolio appeals to various age segments. 
• Well-established Indian brand with global fame. 
• Resilient footwear franchise opportunities in India. 

Campus Shoes

Mass youth brand leading the sports and casual segment. Campus is spreading out in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in 2026.

• Product: Inexpensive sports shoes with high youth appeal.
• Investment: ₹25–40 lakhs
• Recent News / Updates: Campus is continuously taking away market share from smaller towns, particularly in casual and sports segments, making the franchises profitable.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Growing youth-oriented brand.
• Reasonably priced to maintain consistent demand.
• Good presence in small cities.
• Best footwear franchise in India 2026 for youth-oriented regions.

Khadim's

Reasonable brand targeting middle-class customers. Khadim's is expanding new semi-urban outlets in 2026.

• Products: Large collection of reasonably priced shoes and sandals.
• Investment: ₹15–25 lakhs
• Recent News / Updates: Khadim's expansion plans to 100+ new stores this year through franchise partnerships.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Low investment makes it attractive for first-time franchisees.
• High demand in rural and semi-urban markets.
• Well-established brand guarantees customer trust.
• Excellent footwear franchise price in India for small investors.

Metro Shoes

High-end footwear chain with fashionable designs. Metro is expanding in malls and high-street areas in 2026.

• Target Market: Urban and mall-based outlets.
• Investment: ₹40–60 lakhs
• Recent News / Updates: Metro is adding multi-brand stores and greater online integration to drive footfalls and sales.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Premium brands appeal to style-conscious consumers.
• Growing mall presence gives high visibility.
• Urban markets have a good margin.
• Potent footwear franchise prospects in India for premium categories.

Adidas

World sportswear market leader with strong brand recall. Adidas is adding new stores in metros and tier-2 cities in 2026

• Products: Footwear in the sports, lifestyle, and athleisure categories.
• Investment: ₹60 lakhs–₹1.2 crore
• Store Size: 1000–1500 sq. ft.
• Recent News / Updates: Adidas is looking to enlarge its store network and incorporate online-offline sales for improved customer reach.

Why Invest in 2026:

• International brand with premium appeal.
• Growing into tier-2 cities creates new franchise possibilities.
• Merger of physical and online footwear franchise in India 2026 potential.
• Perfect footwear franchise in India investment.

Nike

Global premium sports and lifestyle brand. Nike is expanding its store network in India in 2026.

• Products: Performance footwear and apparel.
• Investment: ₹80 lakhs–₹1.5 crore
• Recent News / Updates: Nike is concentrating on metro flagships and tier-2 city expansion, making new franchise openings in high-traffic zones.

Why Invest in 2026:

• High brand awareness assures loyal patrons.
• Targets fitness enthusiasts and urban youth.
• One of the top footwear franchises in India 2026, for high-end investors.
• Good for malls and metro city premises.

Relaxo Footwear

Low-priced day-to-day footwear brand with Sparx and Bahamas. Relaxo sees expansion in rural and semi-urban India.

• Strength: Extensive demand for low-cost shoes.
• Investment: ₹10–20 lakhs
• Recent News / Updates: Relaxo is expanding its store count by 150+ stores across tier-2 and tier-3 towns and integrating online sales more.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Low-cost franchise with high sales volume.
• Well-liked across semi-urban and rural regions.
• Reliable name in the budget shoe segment. 
• Excellent shoe franchise in India 2026 cost for small investors.

Sreeleathers

A Leather expert brand with a strong presence in East India, growing pan-India in 2026.

• Products: Leather shoes, belts, wallets, and bags.
• Investment: ₹20–30 lakhs
• Recent News / Updates: Sreeleathers is launching 50+ new stores and concentrating on leather accessories and multi-brand integration.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Affordable leather products have a wide reach.
• Pan-India expansion broadens market reach.
• Strong footwear franchise opportunities in India for leather products.

Woodland

 High-end outdoor and adventure footwear brand. Woodland is expanding in metros and tourist towns in 2026.

• Products: Tough leather footwear and outdoor products.
• Investment: ₹40–70 lakhs
• Recent News / Updates: Woodland is expanding multi-brand outlets and blending e-commerce to connect with more customers in 2026.

Why Invest in 2026:

• Admired by adventure and outdoor sports people.
• High-end brand guarantees decent margins.
• Strongly good multi-brand footwear franchise opportunity.
• Strong demand in metro and tourist places.

Franchise Comparison Table 2026

Segment-Wise Footwear Franchise Cost in India 2026

Upcoming & Emerging Footwear Franchises in India 2026

VKC Group

The VKC footwear company, based out of Kerala, is set to grow to 2,000 stores by FY28, the majority of them franchise-owned.

• Target: South India first, then Maharashtra and other markets.
• Opportunity: Ideal for entrepreneurs operating in tier-2 and semi-urban cities.

ASICS India

ASICS, a global sports footwear brand, is set to double its store numbers in India by 2026.

• Expansion: Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities outside the metros.
• Opportunity: Suitable for franchisees which looking at the sports and fitness footwear market.

Hong Fu Industrial Group 

A Taiwanese footwear behemoth is establishing a big athletic footwear manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu, beginning January 2026.

• Impact: It is not a direct franchise; this will add more sports footwear supply, potentially bringing new franchise brand entries to India.

Walkway (by Metro Group)

A new formal and affordable footwear brand from the Metro/Mochi group.

Franchise Cost: Abt. ₹20–40 lakhs.

• Store Size:  1000–1200 sq. ft.
• Opportunity: Good support by a well-established group, with an emphasis on value formal footwear.

Reliance Fashion World (Multi-Brand Format)

Reliance Retail is growing its Fashion World format, covering footwear, apparel, and accessories.

• Formats: Large size & specialty stores.
• Opportunity: If you prefer a multi-brand footwear franchise instead of a single-brand, this is worth considering.

Future Trends in the Footwear Franchise Business in India

• Expanding online footwear franchise in India 2026 (e-com + franchise model).
• Need for sustainable and eco-friendly shoes.
• Tier-2 and tier-3 city expansion.

Conclusion

The Indian footwear business is a recession-resistant, high-growth business. From mass-market names such as Relaxo and Khadim's to youth-oriented names like Campus, or high-end franchises like Nike and Adidas, there is something for every investor.

2026 is the ideal time to invest in India's top footwear franchise. With business opportunities available in men's, women's, children's, and even ladies' footwear franchises, 2026 presents a promising opportunity in India.

So, if you are ready to step into a profitable venture, pick the brand that fits your budget, location, and market demand. Remember—owning a footwear franchise in India is not just a business move; it’s your entry into a growing fashion-forward future.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.