In the dynamic landscape of the footwear industry, where style and function converge, Campus Activewear distinguishes itself as a fashion-forward brand. For Campus, footwear is more than just a necessity; it’s a powerful expression of personal identity and a crucial component of contemporary lifestyles. Campus Activewear’s design philosophy prioritizes the elevation of aesthetic language, translating global fashion trends into footwear that resonates with the discerning Indian consumer.
From runway-inspired sneakers to streetway styles, Campus caters to the aspirations of a style-conscious generation, who are choosing fashion to express themselves. One of the largest and fastest-growing Sports and Athleisure brands, Campus is a style and fashion-first brand, meticulously crafting footwear that empowers individuals to express their unique identities through refined design. The company’s commitment lies in creating products that seamlessly integrate elevated aesthetics with functional innovation, enabling consumers to navigate their dynamic lives confidently with both style and comfort.
Chronological Journey to Market Leadership:
- 2005-2010: Building the Foundation
- 2011-2020: Expansion and Brand Development
- 2021-2022: Public Listing and Market Leadership
- 2023-Present: Maintaining Market Leadership and Brand Enhancement
Campus Activewear’s trajectory is characterized by significant milestones that have solidified its position as a leading Sports and Athleisure brand in India.
2005-2010: Building the Foundation
Campus Activewear established its foundational structure as a dynamic and innovative footwear company. The company invested in setting up state-of-the-art manufacturing units across key Indian regions, ensuring robust in-house production capabilities to drive future growth.
2011-2020: Expansion and Brand Development
During this period, Campus Activewear experienced rapid growth and brand evolution. The company surpassed INR 1,000 million in revenue, marking its emergence as a key player in the Indian footwear market. The joining of TPG and QRG as investor consortiums further enabled accelerated brand expansion. The company also introduced direct-to-consumer distribution channels and entered the e-commerce sector. Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan was appointed as brand ambassador, to reinforce brand appeal among the consumers.
2021-2022: Public Listing and Market Leadership
Campus Activewear expanded its retail footprint, exceeding 100 Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) across India. The company achieved a successful listing on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). By 2022, Campus Activewear held a 17%∗ market share in the branded sports and athleisure segment.
(∗Source: Technopak report on Footwear retail in India 2022 (FY 2020-21)
2023-Present: Maintaining Market Leadership and Brand Enhancement
Campus Activewear recorded a revenue of INR 1,448 crores. The company became the first domestic shoe manufacturer to obtain the latest BIS license. Cultural and entertainment icons King, Sonam Bajwa, Vicky Kaushal, Umran Malik, and Vikrant Massey were brought on board to strengthen the connection with a diverse and vibrant consumer base.
Transforming Premium Footwear into an Everyday Necessity
In 2005, Mr. Hari Krishan Agarwal recognized a gap—while international sneaker trends were reshaping global fashion, Indian consumers lacked options that reflected their aspirations at an accessible price point. This insight led to the creation of Campus Activewear— a brand born from the dream of bringing stylish, high-performance footwear to Indian consumers, without compromising on design, comfort, or affordability. Mr. Agarwal’s goal wasn’t just to introduce contemporary sneakers to India; it was to democratize fashion-forward footwear for every Indian.
He uncovered an essential truth— footwear is not just a necessity, but an extension of personality. Today, that vision has translated into a brand that empowers millions to step out with confidence, making premium footwear more than just a luxury, but an everyday essential.
Agility, Innovation, and the Power of Design
In today’s fast-paced world, where consumer needs are ever-evolving, agility is a competitive advantage, and Campus Activewear excels in this area. Leveraging an in-house manufacturing ecosystem, the brand moves rapidly, taking concepts from the drawing board to retail shelves, ensuring that trendy designs hit the shelves within just 60 to 90 days. This speed-to-market capability, the fastest in the industry, gives consumers immediate access to the latest styles, enabling them to stay ahead of the trend curve.
At the heart of Campus Activewear is a commitment to design innovation. The brand recognizes the demands of a new generation with dynamic, expressive lifestyles. With a strong focus on celebrating individuality, it continues to redefine footwear by blending style with performance, expanding its athleisure capabilities, and leading the charge in democratizing sneaker culture across India.
Fashion Meets Function: A New Era in Footwear
Campus Activewear firmly believes that exceptional footwear isn’t just about looks — it’s about how it moves with the consumer. This philosophy drives the brand’s vertically integrated operational structure, which ensures that every stage of production, from research and development to delivery, optimizes style, durability, and cost-efficiency.
Design innovation takes center stage with technologies like NitroFly and Air Capsule Pro, which offer high-performance cushioning at par with international brands, but at a more accessible cost. Whether these advancements are integrated visibly or subtly, they enhance the consumer’s experience, making each step a blend of comfort and style.
Moreover, the company has set new benchmarks by becoming the first Indian footwear brand to receive a BIS license under QCO: IS 15844 Part I, further reinforcing its commitment to quality and accessibility.
Adapting to Evolving Consumer Trends
Campus Activewear is in tune with the rapidly shifting tastes of today’s consumers. The brand’s success lies in its ability to anticipate and adapt to these trends. It has capitalized on the rise of sneaker culture, offering elevated designs within its premium sneaker segment and expanding its offerings in athleisure for women.
The brand also recognizes the influence of pop culture and the aspirational needs of emerging consumers. By partnering with Warner Brothers Consumer Products Inc., Campus introduced limited-edition superhero collections, featuring iconic characters like The Dark Knight and Superman. This collaboration has resonated deeply with the youth, allowing them to connect emotionally with their footwear and boldly express their authentic selves.
To ensure accessibility, Campus Activewear has optimised its retail model, balancing the growth of its direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels with the expansion of its physical retail presence, ensuring availability in both urban and tier-2/3 markets.
Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
As a brand that moves with the times, Campus is committed to ensuring that every step they take as an organisation leaves a lighter footprint on the planet. With strong ESG principles at its core, the company is committed to reducing its environmental footprint across all areas of operation. Energy-efficient initiatives, optimized water and waste management, and eco-friendly practices are embedded within the company’s DNA.
The company’s efforts extend to responsible material usage, adhering to the Plastic Waste Management Rules and working with registered recyclers. Campus Activewear also follows strict waste disposal practices in compliance with Pollution Control Board guidelines, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and sustainable operations.
Redefining Footwear Through Design Innovation
The organisation positions technology as a core driver of product innovation. With a commitment to merging performance with everyday usability, technologies like Air Capsule Pro offer superior cushioning, making them popular among both performance-driven consumers and sneaker enthusiasts. The company continues to experiment with cutting-edge materials and lightweight formulations to redefine the standards of comfort, ensuring every pair delivers both style and function.
Creating a Unified Phygital Experience
With over 23,000 geo-tagged stores and 1,300+ large format stores, Campus has successfully created an integrated phygital shopping experience. The brand’s online-first strategy ensures consumers can shop conveniently at any time, while its partnerships with major e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, Myntra, Ajio, TataCliq and Nykaa further expand its reach.
It was one of the first footwear brands to venture into quick-commerce (Q-commerce), offering instant delivery of footwear through platforms like Blinkit and Zepto. By combining the convenience of physical stores and digital platforms, the brand ensures that its products are always accessible, regardless of where the customer is.
Strengthening Domestic Market Presence
While Campus Activewear is currently present in four countries, India remains its primary market. In 2025, the company plans to expand its presence in Western and Southern India, focusing on previously untapped regions. With a growing brand recognition and industry expertise, the company is poised to further solidify its position as a leader in the sports footwear and athleisure market.
Industry Recognition and Future Outlook
Campus Activewear’s commitment to innovation and customer-first strategies has earned the brand numerous accolades, including:
- “Footwear Brand of the Year 2024” by BusinessWorld
- “eDNA e-Retail Brand of the Year” by ET Retail
- “Most Admired Retailer of the Year 2025 for Market Expansion” at the India Fashion Forum.
- Honored at the DET Hurun India Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2025 for market leadership in activewear, blending comfort, innovation, and performance.
Looking ahead to 2025, Campus Activewear is focused on sustaining its growth trajectory by reinforcing its position as an aspirational brand in India’s Sports and Athleisure market. The ‘Move Your Way‘ ethos will continue to shape the brand’s approach. Whether through bold fashion statements or high-performance footwear, Campus remains committed to encouraging the youth to feel confident in their own skin and feel unstoppable in all and every choice they make.
The company’s dedication to quality, ethics, and design innovation ensures it will lead the way, setting new standards in the industry for years to come.
