Footwear retail major Metro Brands Ltd. has appointed Uttam Kumar as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO), signaling a sharpen-focus on product lifecycle management and portfolio expansion. Kumar, a seasoned veteran in the retail space, joins the company following a significant stint at Bata India, where he served as Senior Vice President for Product and Merchandising.
The move comes at a time when the Indian footwear market is witnessing a steep climb in premiumization and a shift toward omnichannel retail. Kumar is expected to spearhead the overall product strategy and merchandising function, with a specific mandate to strengthen portfolio relevance and improve the company’s speed-to-market.
Background and Experience
With over two decades of experience spanning India and the broader APAC region, Kumar’s background is rooted in building consumer-centric product engines. His previous roles involved driving business performance across Southeast Asia and implementing high-tech solutions like AI-led forecasting and digital product lifecycle management to plug inventory leaks and optimize margins.
At Metro Brands, Kumar will be tasked with building scalable product capabilities that can support the company's aggressive growth targets. His role involves working across cross-functional teams to ensure that the brand’s offerings resonate with an increasingly discerning Indian consumer base.
“We are delighted to have Uttam on board as Chief Product Officer. His deep expertise in product strategy and merchandising aligns strongly with our vision of accelerating growth across our portfolio,” said Nissan Joseph, CEO of Metro Brands Ltd. Joseph further noted that Kumar’s "proven ability to enhance margins and scale product functions across markets" will be instrumental as the brand seeks to tighten its connection with its customers.
For Metro Brands, which manages a diverse stable including Mochi, Walkway, and FitFlop alongside its flagship Metro stores, Kumar’s appointment is a clear play for better efficiency in a crowded market. The focus is no longer just on physical expansion, but on the agility of the merchandising framework.
Future-Ready Strategy
Reflecting on his new role, Uttam Kumar highlighted the brand’s existing market position and the path ahead. “I am excited to join Metro Brands Ltd. at such a dynamic phase of its growth journey. The company has built a strong legacy and brand equity in the Indian footwear market,” Kumar stated. He added that his priority would be to “further elevate product innovation, deepen consumer-centricity, and build agile and future-ready merchandising capabilities.”
As Metro Brands looks to the next fiscal year, the integration of Kumar’s data-driven approach to merchandising and inventory optimization is expected to be a key differentiator. In a sector where consumer preferences fluctuate rapidly, the ability to predict trends and manage the supply chain without excessive cash leaks will define the winners. Kumar’s experience in the APAC markets may provide the necessary perspective to navigate these complexities.
