The city widely known as the Footwear City of India or the largest footwear manufacturing hub is Agra, in Uttar Pradesh.
Key Points about Agra
- Largest Hub: Agra contributes significantly (upwards of 65%) to India’s total domestic footwear demand and is a major center for exports.
- Specialization: It is especially famous for its leather footwear—men’s leather shoes and women’s sandals—known for fine craftsmanship and a tradition dating back to the Mughal era.
- Ecosystem: The city is home to thousands of micro, small, and medium footwear manufacturing units.
Other Major Footwear Centers in India
While Agra leads, other cities are crucial to the industry:
- Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh): Often called the “Leather City of India,” it is a major center for leather processing and the manufacturing of safety shoes and industrial footwear.
- Chennai/Ambur/Ranipet (Tamil Nadu): A significant hub, particularly for leather footwear exports. The state of Tamil Nadu is also focusing heavily on developing as a major center for non-leather footwear manufacturing for global brands like Nike, Crocs, and Puma.
- Jalandhar (Punjab), Delhi, and Kolkata (West Bengal) are also important production centers for various types of footwear and leather goods.