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Leading With Sole: The Metro Brands Rise Under Rafique Malik, Daughters Farah & Alisha, and CEO Nissan Joseph

In the bustling by lanes of Mumbai’s Colaba in 1955, a humble shoe store laid the foundation for what would become one of India’s largest and most admired footwear empires. That store—acquired by Malik Tejani—was Metro Shoes. His son, Rafique Malik, would go on to turn that single storefront into a national phenomenon.

From running a one-room operation to leading a ₹30,000+ crore enterprise (market cap) with 908 stores in 205 cities (spread across 31 states and union territories) Rafique Malik’s journey is a masterclass in grounded ambition. But the story didn’t end with him. In recent years, it has evolved into a textbook example of how legacy businesses can successfully transition into professionally run, future-ready enterprises—with daughters Farah and Alisha Malik and CEO Nissan Joseph at the helm.

From Footwear to a Fashion Force

By the 1990s, Metro had earned a reputation for quality, service, and trusted customer relationships. Rafique’s model was clear: build from the inside out. Store managers were empowered as entrepreneurs, with hiring, merchandising, and in-store decisions decentralised—earning brand loyalty and consistent returns.

But the 2000s demanded reinvention. Indian retail was evolving. Shopping was no longer transactional; it was experiential, aspirational, and increasingly digital.

Enter the Next Generation: Farah & Alisha

Farah Malik Bhanji, MD, Metro Brands

Farah Malik Bhanji, a mathematics graduate from the University of Texas, Austin joined the company in 2000. She focused on product and brand building—eventually rising to Managing Director. Farah spearheaded Metro’s transformation from a single-brand retailer to a multi-brand powerhouse.

Alisha Malik, President, Metro Brands

In 2009, Alisha Malik, with a finance degree from Northumbria University in the UK, joined the business. She brought with her a keen digital mindset, leading Metro’s e-commerce and marketing efforts. Alisha’s role became increasingly vital as consumers shifted online, expecting consistent brand experiences across channels.  She currently serves as the President at Metro Brands Limited.

The Brand Portfolio Expands

Together, the team built a portfolio to meet every segment of India’s diverse market:

  • Metro Shoes – the flagship, premium-yet-accessible brand
  • Mochi – youth-focused, fashion-forward, trend-sensitive
  • Walkway – value-driven, catering to mass-market consumers
  • Da Vinci & Cheemo – niche offerings for occasion and ethnic wear
  • FitFlop – ergonomic fashion, under license
  • Crocs – exclusive retail partner since 2015
  • Fila & Proline – via acquisition of Cravatex Brands
  • New Era Caps – premium sports headwear
  • Foot Locker – launched in 2024, targeting urban streetwear enthusiasts
  • Clarks – re-launched in 2025 as the exclusive retail and digital partner for India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka
  • Biofoot – One of its kind custom foot solution brand

The Professional Era: Nissan Joseph Takes the Reins

Nissan Joseph, CEO, Metro Brands

In 2021, with the company preparing for its IPO, Metro Brands brought in Nissan Joseph as CEO. A global retail veteran, Nissan brought strategic focus and international best practices. His previous stints with Crocs, Philippines-based MAP Active & Planet Sports Inc. made him ideally suited to lead Metro through its next growth phase.

Under Nissan Joseph’s leadership:

  • Store count grew to 908 across 205+ cities
  • Focused Tier-2/3 expansion accelerated brand reach
  • E-commerce revenue hit ₹259 crore in FY25, growing 20% YoY
  • Premiumisation and product mix improved margins
  • New brand partnerships such as Clarks and Fila have been launched exclusively with Metro Brands Limited in India. Also, Metro Brands Limited is the exclusive retail partner for Foot Locker in the country.

“Despite macroeconomic challenges, we saw a strong recovery and crossed our 900th store milestone,” Nissan Joseph said following Q4 FY25 results. “Our strategic initiatives and customer-centric approach will continue to fuel growth.”

Governance & Growth

Metro Brands was also among the few legacy-led businesses to smoothly professionalise without a power struggle. The company went public in December 2021, bringing in new governance norms, a structured board, and investor transparency.

Farah, Managing Director, shifted to long-term brand strategy and category development. Alisha continues to drive consumer engagement, omnichannel innovation, and brand voice, while also leading the business for the sports division.

Their father, Rafique Malik, remains Chairman—a guiding force who enabled this generational handoff with foresight and humility.

“You don’t build a company for yourself. You build it to outlast you,” he once said. “And I saw that Farah and Alisha had the mindset and skill to take it forward—with purpose.”

Leadership Beyond the Family

Metro’s rapid growth is underpinned by a robust executive team:

  • Kaushal Parekh, CFO (since May 2020): Brings over 20 years in financial services and M&A, drives AI-powered inventory planning and fiscal discipline
  • Mohit Dhanjal COO: Leads store expansion and seamless operations
  • Jitendra Mangave, CTO: Heading tech, ERP, and omni-channel systems for real-time connectivity
  • Legal and HR functions are helmed respectively by Deepa Sood, VP–Legal, and Nandini Mehta, CHRO, ensuring culture, compliance, and talent alignment

Together, this top team melds family legacy with professional expertise—ensuring that Metro’s growth is both deep and durable.

What Sets Metro Apart

  1. Multi-brand strategy serving every footwear segment
  2. Balanced leadership between family and retail veterans
  3. Tech + human model—AI for inventory, store-level entrepreneurship for customer experience
  4. Deep expansion strategy, especially in underserved markets
  5. Strong e-commerce fundamentals, without compromising in-store strength
  6. Brand partnerships with global majors that bring aspirational value

Epilogue: Walking Confidently into the Future

Today, Metro Brands stands not only as a success story—but as a rare example of how legacy, innovation, and professionalism can co-exist.

With Rafique Malik’s values, Farah and Alisha’s energy, and Nissan Joseph’s strategic foresight, Metro is writing a powerful new chapter—getting India on its feet.

In the end, they’re not just leading with scale. They’re leading with soul. And sole.

The post Leading With Sole: The Metro Brands Rise Under Rafique Malik, Daughters Farah & Alisha, and CEO Nissan Joseph appeared first on India Retailing.



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