Liberty Shoes, that spells quality and comfort for Indian feet today, started off on a very modest note way back in 1954 as a shoe manufacturing unit at Karnal in Haryana. The brainchild of Dharam Pal Gupta, Purshotam Das Gupta, and Rajkumar Bansal, this unit began its humble production with just four pairs a day, turning out their shoes with the help of skilled cobblers.

A Decade of Growth: 1954-1964

The initial years were slow but steady growth. Liberty Shoes was determined to lay a strong foundation, bring about constant improvements in the manufacturing process, and try to understand the changing needs of the Indian consumer. Gradually, production capacity was increased, and a wider range of footwear started coming out of the factory to cater to varied segments of the market.

Expanding Horizons: 1965-1975

The Indian economy expanded in the 1960s, and so did Liberty Shoes. New market territories were conquered as its distribution network spread to almost every nook and corner of the country. Technology and infrastructure saw major investments during this decade as production efficiency and product quality were enhanced manifold.

Building a Brand 1976-1985

By the late 1970s, Liberty Shoes was already a known name in the Indian footwear industry. The stage now saw new designs and styles coming in to capture the psyche of the young, fashion-conscious mind. The emphasis now shifted to creating a strong brand that stood for comfort, durability, and value for money.

Retail Revolution (1986-1995)

The 1980s emerged as the defining decade for Liberty Shoes. Enter the retail sector, open the first exclusive showroom in Kurukshetra, and there it goes, closer to consumers to develop a more direct relationship. During this decade, many new product lines were introduced, basically in view of different segments of consumer preference.

Global Expansion, 1996-2005

By this time, Liberty Shoes was already very well entrenched in the domestic market. It looked for international expansion and entered new markets, setting up units in a number of countries. This was basically a period of intense marketing and strategic tieups to make the brand name very visible.

Digital Dominance, 2006-2015

The digital revolution influenced the footwear industry in a big way, and Liberty Shoes had to quickly respond to it. The company thus launched its online store whereby products could reach a greater number of people. Utilize social media platforms for engaging with customers and building an effective online community.

Innovation and Sustainability 2016-present

The last two years have seen Liberty Shoes determinedly moving towards the twin objectives of innovation and sustainability. It is introducing eco-friendly materials and processes in its products for addressing the new demand of ethical fashion in consumers. Besides, heavy focus is being laid on research and development to introduce the most innovative designs in footwear.

A Year-on-Year Success Story

Basically, Liberty Shoes has shown a clean record in terms of financial performance over the years. The revenue has been trending upwards in view of enhanced sales, diversified products, and geographical presence. The company has very ably managed to hold its market leadership in the shoe industry, which is otherwise gloomy.

Key Milestones

• 1954: Foundation of Liberty Shoes
• 1983: First exclusive showroom
• 1986: Incorporation as a public limited company
• 1991: Joint venture in Russia
• 2001: Adesh Gupta becomes CEO
• 2004: Launch of company-owned stores
• Present: Strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital presence