Chennai-based Kothari Industrial Corporation (KICL), flagship of the DC Kothari Group, has acquired footwear brands Zodiz, Jeetlo, and associated sub-brands, effective 04 August, 2025.

Zodiz, owned by Coimbatore-based Zaimus Trends, and Jeetlo, known for affordable, trendy footwear, cater primarily to the mass market segment offering products below Rs 1,000 per pair — a category comprising nearly 80 percent of India’s Rs 80,000–85,000 crore footwear consumption. The acquisition positions KICL for immediate entry into one of the fastest-growing consumer segments, particularly in tier-2, tier-3 cities.

KICL already operates in the non-leather footwear segment, having set up a dedicated footwear park in Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, and maintains collaborations with foreign makers of global brands such as Kickers and Adidas. The acquisition complements KICL’s goal of strengthening its footprint in value-driven fashion retail while leveraging its manufacturing and distribution network to scale rapidly across India.