KICL Steps into Footwear with Zodiz and Jeetlo

Chennai-based Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd. (KICL), the flagship of the DC Kothari Group, has acquired footwear brands Zodiz, Jeetlo, and their associated sub-brands, effective August 4, 2025.

The acquisition marks KICL’s strategic entry into the mass-market footwear segment, which accounts for nearly 80% of India’s ₹80,000–85,000 crore footwear market, largely comprising products priced below ₹1,000 per pair.

Zodiz, owned by Coimbatore-based Zaimus Trends, and Jeetlo are known for offering affordable, trendy footwear, particularly popular in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This move gives KICL immediate access to one of the fastest-growing consumer categories in India.

KICL is already active in the non-leather footwear segment and has established a dedicated footwear park in Perambalur, Tamil Nadu. It also maintains collaborations with global footwear brands, including Kickers and Adidas, for contract manufacturing.

This acquisition supports KICL’s broader goal of expanding its presence in value-driven fashion retail, leveraging its manufacturing capacity and nationwide distribution network to scale rapidly and capture new markets.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.