Crocs will manufacture in India if GST favourable, says India MD

By

Maverick Martins

Published
Mar 16, 2017

Footwear brand Crocs has indicated that it will manufacture its products locally if the Goods and Service Tax (GST) is favourable for the footwear sector.

"We do have business plans in place based on certain assumptions on GST (rates). If it is favourable, we are going to plan manufacturing products in India. We will take decision in 6-8 months," Crocs India Managing Director Deepak Chhabra told a news agency.

"There is no incentive for manufacturing locally. VAT rates for footwear are much higher than apparels. Unless there is benefit of making in India, there is no point in doing it,” Chhabra added.

Crocs India sources 100 per cent of its finished products from its global manufacturing hub in China and Vietnam.

Crocs is looking to double its India business in three years as it widens product portfolio and expands retail footprint.

The company is looking at going beyond its core beachwear offerings and become a casual footwear brand. The company has 1,000 points-of-sale including over 35 exclusive stores. It operates in over 90 countries and offers casual footwear for men, women and children.