Sreeleathers: A homegrown legacy built on value and trust, over three generations

Established in 1952 in Jamshedpur, Sreeleathers has built a time-honoured presence in India’s footwear and leather accessories market. Founded by Late Suresh Chandra Dey, a revolutionary and associate of Masterda Surya Sen, the brand was born from the idea of self-reliance, with a clear mission: to create quality Indian products that could rival foreign goods while remaining affordable for the common man.“My father’s dream was that the common man of India would wear affordable shoes,” the family patriarch Sekhar Dey recalls.What began as a small manufacturing unit producing handcrafted shoes priced at just Rs.12 has evolved into a multi-category retail brand with over 40 stores, dominating the Eastern India market. Now into its third generation of leadership, the legacy of the homegrown brand has continued seamlessly over 75 years.

From its origins in Jamshedpur, Sreeleathers has expanded its retail presence across India. Sreeleathers’ organised retail expansion began in 1992, with its first franchise store in Cuttack. Over the years, the brand has diversified from men’s and women’s footwear into accessories, children’s products, sports and active wear, leather bags, wallets, jackets, and premium leather collections, positioning itself as a complete family store. While initially sourcing materials from Eastern India, the company now procures raw materials nationally, and selectively from Europe.The brand’s founding philosophy, “World Class, Right Price,” has remained unchanged for over seven decades. Products range from belts priced as low as Rs.200 to refined premium leather offerings, ensuring accessibility across income segments, says third generation entrepreneur Sushanto Dey, Sekhar Dey’s son. Keeping with the times, Sreeleathers has gone digital as well. Pujarini Dey, Sushanto’s wife, heads this operation. “Traditionally the company has been very successful and satisfied with its brick-and-mortar stores, but the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a strategic pivot, leading the firm to aggressively pursue the online business segment,” said Pujarni Dey. “We launched our E-Commerce website during the pandemic, which has grown exponentially since then, and is giving fantastic results.”“The Sreeleathers online team works 24×7 to ensure that consumers get their products in seven days, and we also have a seven day exchange policy,” Pujarini said. “The online team also takes care of all bulk orders.” A family-run brand that grew with India, without losing sight of the common consumerSreeleathers entered Southern India in 2012 with its first store in Chennai and continues to expand its footprint in the region. Accelerated by the pandemic, the brand made a successful digital pivot by launching its e-commerce platform, which now plays a key role in business growth, offering pan-India delivery and customer-friendly exchange policies.

Recent launches such as SL Sports and SL Premium underline Sreeleathers’ ability to evolve with consumer needs while staying rooted in affordability and trust. For millions of Indians, Sreeleathers is not just a brand, but a lifelong companion passed down through generations.SL Sports – Sreeleathers has successfully launched its new line of athletic footwear, SL Sports, designed to make high-quality sporting shoes and active wear accessible to everyone. This dynamic collection features a vibrant array of attractive designs and colours across multiple categories, including specialised walking shoes, jogging shoes, and Basketball shoes, alongside general sneakers.Crucially, Sreeleathers has employed a highly inclusive pricing strategy. The company’s goal is to ensure that the entire SL Sports range remains well within reach for customers across all income segments, reinforcing Sreeleathers’ commitment to affordability without compromising on style or performance. This move positions SL Sports as a formidable and budget-friendly contender in the competitive sports footwear market.YT Link: https://youtu.be/7JtPS-DGPVk?si=UDDVvaFO2XzPqSKmThe Sreeleathers wallets collection features a wide range of genuine leather wallets for men, including RFID-protected, premium, and key-ring combo designs. Available in multiple colours and styles, these durable, affordable accessories accommodate cards, currency, and IDs, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern functionality. The Executive Leather Bags collection offers premium, professionally crafted bags designed for modern executives. Made from durable genuine leather, the range includes office bags, laptop bags, and business briefcases. Combining elegance, functionality, and value pricing, these bags ensure organised storage, long-lasting performance, and a polished corporate appearance. The Sreeleathers Jackets collection features stylish genuine leather jackets for men and women in various colours and fits, including hooded and slim-fit options. Sizes range broadly, with custom sizing available on request. Durable materials and multiple pocket designs deliver both comfort and contemporary appeal. Sreeleathers has joined hands with Chhota Bheem to offer fun, colourful footwear and accessories designed especially for children. Featuring popular Chhota Bheem characters, the range combines playful designs with comfort and durability. Ideal for daily wear, these kid-friendly products ensure safety, affordability, and joyful style for young fans. The Sreeleathers SL Premium collection showcases refined leather footwear and accessories crafted for discerning customers. Featuring superior materials, elegant designs, and enhanced comfort, the range reflects premium quality and durability. Ideal for formal and semi-formal occasions, SL Premium products blend contemporary styling with trusted craftsmanship at accessible price points. For three generations, Sreeleathers has built a reputation for offering customers durable and fashionable footwear and accessories. Recognising a persistent market demand for a higher-end selection that still adheres to an affordable price point, the company has officially launched its premium range of footwear and leather accessories.Sreeleathers has proven to be a highly lucrative partnership for its franchisees. Driven by high brand recall and strong market traction, Sreeleathers stores consistently enjoy excellent customer traffic. This commercial success has motivated new as well as established franchisees to actively re-invest and expand their presence by launching new outlets in different areas of the country, affirming the strong growth trajectory of the brand.Customer Testimony – “Sreeleathers isn’t just a brand — it’s a legacy,” Mr. Nair says. “It’s been a part of growing up, handed down through *3 generations!”Mr. Gupta, visiting his hometown Jamshedpur, made a point to stop by… his verdict? “Nothing beats Sreeleathers, no matter what.”For many long-time customers, Sreeleathers represents familiarity and continuity. Nair describes it as “part of growing up,” noting that the brand has been part of his family across three generations. Similarly, Gupta, while visiting his hometown, made it a point to stop by a Sreeleathers store, saying he continues to associate the brand with reliability and value.Disclaimer – The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.