Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, May 2026 – Metro Brands Limited has announced the appointment of Uttam Kumar as Chief Product Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company enters its next phase of growth and innovation. In this role, he will lead the product strategy and merchandising function, focusing on portfolio development, innovation, and capability building across the organization.
Uttam Kumar joins Metro Brands Limited with over two decades of experience in merchandising, retail transformation, and product leadership. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President – Merchandising (India) at Bata Group, where he led merchandising strategies in one of the most competitive retail environments.
Prior to this, he held the role of Regional Director APAC – Collection & Merchandising at Bata Group, based in Singapore, where he drove regional product strategies and strengthened merchandising capabilities across Asia-Pacific markets. His global exposure was further enhanced through his tenure as Country Manager & Managing Director – Thailand, where he led business operations and market expansion initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Uttam Kumar spent over a decade with Bata India Limited, holding multiple leadership roles including Vice President & Chief Merchandising Manager – Retail and Business Head – Footin, where he played a critical role in product development, retail growth, and category expansion. He began his professional journey with roles in product merchandising and design at Leiner Shoes Private Limited, building a strong foundation in footwear product development.
Metro Brands Limited is one of India’s largest footwear specialty retailers, with a strong presence across 598 stores in 136 cities. Established in 1977, the company has built a robust portfolio of brands including Metro Shoes, Mochi, Walkway, and premium labels such as DaVinchi and J. Fontini. With a strong focus on innovation, supply chain excellence, and customer experience, Metro Brands continues to lead the Indian footwear retail market while expanding its omnichannel capabilities and brand partnerships.
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