Leading footwear distributor Chapters Brand Group is set to bring the Rockport shoe brand across the pond.
Brand management firm Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Rockport intellectual property, has signed a deal with Chapters to distribute the brand across the U.K. and Ireland. Authentic said that under the terms of the agreement, Chapter will distribute Rockport men’s and women’s footwear across the regions.
“Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following,” Henry Stupp, president, Lifestyle & Entertainment EMEAI at Authentic, said. “Chapters’ deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport’s presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.”
Graeme Nichol, a managing director at Chapters, said, “There’s a clear demand for footwear that combines everyday functionality with thoughtful design and Rockport delivers exactly that.” He cited the Umbwe as an iconic footwear classic, noting that his firm has “stuck faithfully to the brand’s original specifications,” using Vibram soles, Hydroshield membranes, full moccasin construction, and buttery calf leathers to make sure that both “comfort and quality remain at the forefront.”
Rockport Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection in June 2023. It was the second Chapter 11 filing within a five year period for the shoe firm founded in 1971 by the father and son duo Saul and Bruce Katz. They sold the brand to Reebok in 1986 for $118 million, which later sold it in 2015. Authentic snapped up the brand in July 2023 during a bankruptcy court approved sales. Authentic a year earlier acquired Rockport’s former parent Reebok. One of Authentic’s first moves was to tap Marc Fisher Footwear—it’s also the shoe licensee for Authentic’s Nine West, Hunter Boots and Bandolino labels—as its U.S. partner to handle Rockport’s footwear design, wholesale and e-commerce operations. The brand’s offerings skews more towards the men’s footwear market.
