Sandals bridge the gap between shoes and flip-flops. They are commonly made of a sole and they cling to the feet through either a single strap or multiple straps that wrap around the foot. This means the majority of the feet are exposed allowing for breathability during the summer seasons. They are not meant for professional business meetings but look much more stylish and suitable for outdoor leisure activities as compared to flip-flops. Sandals are more rigid than flip flops and the sole is usually made of sturdy materials like cork, rubber, leather, etc. The upper portion is usually made of leather, canvas, rubber, etc. Sandals have been used all over the world since ancient days. The ancient Romans wore a type of sandal and an archaeological survey revealed that sandals were worn by the ancient Native Americans around eight thousand years ago.
How Are Sandals Made?
In the current era of economic globalization, sandals are produced using recycled or synthetic materials like vehicle tires. In India, sandals are made from the hide of water buffaloes. As previously mentioned, sandals were found to be worn by those residing in hot climates. They also provide safety from prickling stones in rocky regions as well as protect from deadly insects and thorny vegetation. Like flip-flops, sandals are classified as footwear and most companies that manufacture sandals, mostly manufacture other types of footwear as well like flip-flops, shoes, and other leather goods like belts, wallets, etc. and India is a major participant in the production of footwear.
Global Manufacturer of Footwear
After China, India is the largest global manufacturer of footwear. It accounts for thirteen percent of the world’s production of footwear exporting about 115 million pairs. Some of the major centers of footwear production in the country are Mumbai, Chennai, Agra, Sonepat, Kolkata, Calicut, etc. Sandal manufacturers in India have excellent manufacturing plants with state-of-the-art equipment. These devices, which are manned by qualified experts, assist in the realization of any new inventive idea. The footwear business has benefited greatly from the support systems developed for it. India's footwear component manufacturing business is well-developed. The footwear industry's anticipated growth in the Indian industry would continue to be market-driven, with a focus on the European and US markets. The Indian footwear business is stamping its class and expertise in the global footwear trade as technology and quality of footwear improve year after year. Some of the well-known sandals manufacturers in India are Liberty Shoes Ltd, Mirza International Ltd, Relaxo Footwears Ltd, VKC Group Footwears, Bata India Ltd, and Khadim India Ltd.
Top 5 Business Ideas To Start A Sandal Business In India 2023
1. Get Acquainted With The Sandal Industry
Sandals are categorized under the footwear industry as sandals manufacturers are also likely to manufacture other types of footwear as well and subsequently the footwear industry is part of the fashion industry. The fashion industry is a large industry with extensive factors that are very significant. The fashion industry targets the following main consumers: men, women, boys, girls, baby/toddlers. Footwear is also categorized according to the target consumers. Footwear in itself is classified into various types like sports, casuals, and formals, to name a few. Sandals can target all consumers and it usually comes under the ‘casuals’ category. Sandals are also sold more to female consumers so it is something to consider.
2. Be Aware Of The Competition
When starting a new business, there will always be established enterprises offering the same or similar products. These businesses are considered competitors since the companies with similar products will have to compete for the customers' attention. Some companies offer lower sandals price attracting customers who intend to use the product for a short time and purchase a new one whenever needed. This strategy is very effective especially in the Indian market as most consumers would prefer affordability over durability. Some companies provide authentic handmade sandals that are pricey and can be purchased through their website.
3. Obtain The Legal Documents For Starting A Business
Before starting the legal paperwork, a creative name is required. The company name should be easy to remember and linger in the minds of potential customers. Now that the name has been decided, it is time to start filling out the paperwork. Failure to produce the requisite paperwork is a violation that could result in the business being closed down. Company registration, GST registration, Shop, and Establishment Act license, Import Export Code, IEC certificate, Confidential bank certificate, and other registrations will be required. All of these must be registered for a business to run successfully. Other important registrations are insurance in case of any damage to the company.
Also Read: Top 10 Shoes Manufacturers, Suppliers & Exporters in India
4. Acquire the Raw Materials and Establish A Footwear Manufacturing Plant
The different types of raw materials required by sandal manufacturers are cloth, plastic, rubber, natural/synthetic leather, hand tools, threads, latex/polish, etc., and the common equipment needed for shoe manufacturing cutting board, sole attaching press, skiving machine, zigzag machine, finish machine, scissors, sole activator, packaging materials, miscellaneous equipment. Based on the type of sandal to be manufactured, all or some of the mentioned raw materials and equipment may be required for the manufacturing plant. In addition to this, manpower is also needed to run the equipment and make the sandals along with expert supervision by quality control experts, managers, sales team, designers, etc. Some independent companies run their business from their basement while some large companies have multiple factories and manufacturing plants to produce large amounts of footwear products.
5. Attract The Attention of Potential Customers Through Brand Awareness
The advertisements about shoes, laptops, smartphones, etc shown before the start of almost every YouTube video are called an ad, or more accurately, a video ad. Other types of ads that are commonly seen are poster ads of offers in vehicles in the newspaper, numerous banner ads at bus stops, footpaths, etc. These are done so to increase the awareness of the company brand. Companies frequently use brand awareness campaigns to push their items in front of consumers. It is also something that businesses have continued to implement over time. Advertisements on websites and televisions, posters and banners placed throughout the city, social media marketing campaigns, and other methods can be used to accomplish this. These days, companies who are serious about their business always hire a team of designers to communicate the company’s offer effectively to their potential customers. This allows the company to stay ahead of its competition, even when new businesses emerge to compete with them.
With India now ranking as the world's second-largest footwear manufacturer after China, one can be confident that starting a sandal manufacturing business in the country will generate a significant amount of revenue and profit. With the mentioned steps as a brief outline, one should further explore each step and research each step thoroughly. It is also always encouraged to seek the advice of trusted friends or acquaintances who are familiar with the sandals business or even any business to start successfully with the least failures or mistakes. Hopefully, after going through the steps and recommendations, the process of starting a sandal manufacturing business will no longer appear to be difficult, but rather encouraging to anyone interested in starting a sandal manufacturing company. You need to make sure to find the best Sandals manufacturers near me.
Top Footwear Manufacturing Companies in India
FAQs: Sandals
Q. Why do we call sandals?
Ans. A sandal is one of the types of footwear that have soles that are made either of leather or rubber, wood or rope. The sandal can be attached to the feet by narrow thongs that are usually made to pass between the first and second toes, or also by laces and straps or strap latches and are also known as sabot sandals.
Q. How do you start a sandal business?
Ans. To start a business in sandals, some steps need to be followed:
Q. What are some of the top 10 sandal brands that one cannot miss out on?
- Plan and prepare the model for your business.
- The entrepreneur must obtain the licenses & business registration.
- One must find suppliers of raw materials.
- Important accounts need to be started.
- Next, the entrepreneur needs to find the store location as well as the Layout.
- Hiring employees for help.
- Advertise on various social media platforms.
Ans. Some of the top 10 sandal brands that are good, long-lasting, and durable are highlighted below:
- Bata
- Metro
- Mochi
- Nike
- Lee Cooper
- Adidas
- Woodland
- Khadims
- Liberty
- Relaxo
Q. Is sandal making the business profitable?
Ans. There is no doubt that every business that starts with hard work, sincerity, and dedication will be a success. The sandal manufacturing business is one such business that is highly profitable but requires the help of many people and needs the team’s skills and ideas to upgrade their designs according to the latest fashion. Profitable means that entrepreneurs can save a good amount of money, and also obtain good and trustworthy clients. The business should also be running for a long time.
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