After the global economic changes of the 1990s, the company closed a number of its manufacturing factories in developed countries and focused on expanding retail business. Bata moved out of Canada in several steps.
In 2000, itclosed its Batawa factory. In 2001, it closed its Bata retail stores, retaining its Athletes World retail chain. In 2004, the Bata headquarters weremoved to Lausanne, Switzerland and leadership was transferred toThomas G. Bata, grandson ofTomáš Bata. The Bata headquarters building in Toronto was vacated and eventually demolished to much controversy. In 2007, the Athletes World chain was sold, ending Bata retail operations in Canada. As of 2013, Bata maintains the headquarters for its Power brand of footwear in Toronto. TheBata Shoe Museum, founded by Sonja Bata, and operated by a charitable foundation, is also located in Toronto.
