The company has announced it will continue its restructuring process in order to address the shift in shopping patterns amongst its customers toward purchasing footwear and accessories through multi-brand retailers and ecommerce.

The company claims that the impact of ecommerce and fashion retailers entering into an already-crowded Swiss footwear market, plus the shift in buying habits amongst Swiss consumers to shop for footwear and other goods in France, Italy and Germany, has "proved too much to maintain the Bata stores network in Switzerland".

As a result, Bata is in the process of closing its remaining 29 stores in the country, which will impact 175 employees.

Bata’s future business plans in Switzerland will be built around the brand Bata, with its products continuing to be available to Swiss customers through a multi-channel approach including multi-brand retailers, ecommerce (www.bata.com) and Bata dealers.

Bata retail stores in Italy, Spain, Czech and Slovak Republics and its domestic and international franchise businesses will continue its operations. Bata’s service and advisory company, based in Lausanne, employing some 30 people, is not affected by this decision.

Founded in 1894, The Bata Shoe Organization is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and retailers of quality footwear. With over 30 000 employees, 24 production facilities, 5 000 international retail stores, and a presence in over 70 countries.