Metro Brands shares rise 3% as GST reform buzz lifts footwear stocks

Business Upturn

3 days ago

By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on August 18, 2025, 09:24 IST
Metro Brands Ltd shares rose 2.99% on Monday, August 18, to close at ₹1,133.40, after optimism grew that the government's proposed GST reforms could benefit the footwear sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said 'next-generation GST reforms' will be unveiled by Diwali, aimed at lowering the tax burden on households and MSMEs.
Goldman Sachs has highlighted Metro Brands as a key beneficiary, particularly through its Walkway stores, which focus on affordable footwear priced below ₹1,000. Any reduction in GST on this segment could help accelerate store expansion and drive higher customer footfalls.
Brokerages including Jefferies and Citi also expect GST cuts across apparel, footwear, processed foods, medicines, and consumer durables, alongside larger categories like cement and automobiles. Analysts note that these reforms, combined with income tax relief and lower lending rates, could stimulate festive season demand and boost earnings growth into FY27.
Metro Brands, one of India's largest footwear retailers with presence across Metro, Mochi, and Walkway formats, has been steadily expanding its footprint in the affordable footwear market. The stock's rally on Monday lifted its market capitalisation to ₹3.09 lakh crore.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.