Khadim’s, founded in Kolkata in 1981, is a leading Indian footwear retailer with a national presence. It operates over 800 stores, including around 589 through franchise partners and 207 company-owned outlets. Known for affordable, fashionable footwear across categories, Khadim’s targets a mass-market audience across urban, semi-urban, and rural India.
📏 Space & Format Requirements
Khadim’s offers two store formats:
- Exclusive Brand Outlet (EBO): Requires 500–1,000 sq ft retail space plus 500–700 sq ft warehouse, with minimum frontage (~14 ft), typically suited for high-street or mall locations.
- Brand Outlet (BO): Compact format of 250–400 sq ft retail plus 250–400 sq ft storage, ideal for smaller markets, with frontage of ~12 ft and daily market potential of ~5,000 sales.
💰 Initial Investment Estimate
Total investment typically ranges between ₹20 lakh and ₹35 lakh, depending on format and location:
| Expense Head | Estimate (₹ Lakhs) |
| Franchise/security deposit | ₹2 Lakhs |
| Interior & store setup | ₹5–10 Lakhs |
| Initial inventory stock | ₹10–20 Lakhs |
| Licenses, miscellaneous | ₹1.5 Lakhs |
| Working capital (initial buffer) | ₹3–5 Lakhs |
| Total (approx.) | ₹20–35 Lakhs |
- Franchise/security deposit: ₹2 L (refundable)
- Interior fit-out: ₹5–10 L including fixtures, racks, lighting, branding and systems
- Initial stock: ₹10–20 L based on floor area and expected mix
- Licenses & miscellany: trade license, GST, municipal permits approx ₹0.1–0.2 L included in setup
- Working capital reserves: ₹3–5 L to manage early operations and inventory replenishment
Some sources note the investment requirement can go up to ₹30 L or slightly higher depending on location and store size.
🎯 Eligibility & Application
To qualify:
- Investor aged 21+ with basic legal documentation (PAN, Aadhaar, GST, shop agreement).
- Adequate financial capability to support both capex and working capital.
- Retail space backing (owned or on rental/revenue-share basis) in a shopping or high-footfall area.
- While prior retail experience is beneficial, it is not mandatory; business-minded applicants are preferred.
- Khadim’s provides interior design, billing software, and training support.
Contact can be made via the official website or toll-free helpline to submit franchise enquiry forms.
📈 Profitability & Expected Returns
- Profit Margins: Average net margin on sales ranges from 28% to 32%, varying by mix and volume. Other sources mention margins between 20% to 30% based on cost control and pricing.
- Revenues: A store with ₹5 lakh daily footfall potential yields strong monthly turnover. With mature sales, monthly revenue of ₹5–15 lakh is achievable depending on catchment.
- Break-even Timeline: Many franchisees recoup investment within 12 to 18 months, and some sources even point to a one-year turnover for ROI.
✅ Advantages & Risks
✅ Benefits:
- Association with a trusted national brand
- Moderate investment threshold for small-to-mid-sized investors
- Operational support: storefront setup, training, billing systems, and supply chain access
- Diverse product portfolio appealing across ages and price points
⚠️ Challenges:
- Business is location-sensitive—high footfall and visibility impact success significantly
- Competition from other established retailers like Bata, Liberty, Relaxo
- Effective inventory and staff management critical to maintain margins
- Franchise model can constrain flexibility—store design and operations must follow brand standards
Final Verdict
A Khadim’s franchise presents a balanced opportunity for first-time entrepreneurs and retail operators wanting to enter the footwear segment with moderate investment and a trusted brand. With an initial outlay of around ₹20–35 lakh, strong margins (~30%), and support ecosystem in place, many franchisees can reach break-even within 1–1.5 years.
However, success depends heavily on securing a prime location, effective inventory planning, cost control, and service delivery. Given the reliable brand and moderate risk profile, Khadim’s remains a viable franchise path for those serious about footwear retail in India.
