Aldo Groupe
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The ALDO Groupe owns and operates a worldwide chain of shoe & accessory stores. The company was founded by Aldo Bensadoun in Montreal, Quebec in 1972 where its coporate headquarters remain today. It has grown to become a worldwide corporation, with over 800 stores under 6 retail banners: ALDO, ALDO Accessories, Spring (formerly Transit), Feetfirst (FIRST in the United States), Globo and Little Burgundy (rebranding of Stoneridge). Each banner caters to a distinct well-defined customer group. There are also ALDO outlet, ALDO Kids, ALDO Liquidation, Spring Outlet and clearance stores in select locations. Canadian, American and UK stores are corporate stores while international stores are franchisees. The company once operated the now closed or re-branded banners: Simard & Voyer, Pegabo, Transit and Stoneridge.
The ALDO Groupe is a privately-held company, which operates over 800 retail stores across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. They specialize in the creation of fashion footwear, leather goods and accessories. ALDO is undergoing a major expansion throughout the Middle East and Asia.
[edit] ALDO History
1966 – Home Base
Aldo Bensadoun completes his French military service, teaching Economics at the École de Cavalerie de Saumur. Shortly thereafter, he returns to his favourite city, this time making Montreal his home.
1972 – The Early Days ALDO Shoes is founded as a footwear concession within a chain of popular fashion boutiques. The original group includes 4 Canadian stores in Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Winnipeg. 1978 – The First Store The first freestanding ALDO store opens on Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal, Canada, ending the practice of leased departments within the chain of clothing fashion boutiques.
1980 – 1993 Expansion By 1980, the company becomes independent and prospers. Over the course of the next 13 years, 95 freestanding stores operate under the trade name ALDO.
1991 The company launches the Transit banner in Canada, to cater to a younger client group.
1996 The company launches the FeetFirst banner catering to an older client group. 1993 – 2001 Evolution ALDO initiates its retail entry into the U.S. market. The first ALDO U.S. store opens near Boston, Massachusetts. Over the course of the next 9 years, approximately 125 stores open in the U.S. alone. By the end of this period ALDO also operates over 180 successful stores in regional malls and key fashion street locations in most major Canadian urban centers.
In addition, the Group operates over 300 stores under 8 prominent retail banners, each catering to a distinct well-defined customer group. 1994 – First International Store ALDO ventures outside of North America under a franchise agreement in Israel.
2001 – Gulf States ALDO’s success in Israel sets the course for an International business model. ALDO grants franchise rights in United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states. A third franchise is granted in Saudi Arabia.
2002 – London ALDO graces the high streets of London, England, opening prime locations on Oxford Street and Neal Street. The brand also finds its way to the English countryside opening in mall locations including Basingstoke, Uxbridge, Camden, Croydon, Kent & Southampton.
2003 – Asia ALDO expands to Asia, opening its doors in Singapore.
2004 – Continuing Expansion With the success of ALDO's stores in the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, the brand continues its global expansion into Portugal, Denmark, Malaysia, and Lebanon.
2005 – Continuing Expansion ALDO is on the rise with new market openings in Australia, Ireland, India, South Africa and Poland. 2006 – Continuing Expansion Another exciting year of growth as ALDO opens in China, Thailand, Taiwan, Russia, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan. 2007 and Beyond Turkey, Romania, Venezuela, Panama, Indonesia, Philippines, Ukraine, Mexico and Chile join the ALDO family. By the end of 2007, over 800 ALDO stores will be operating in 40 countries across the world.
2006 – Continuing Expansion Another exciting year of growth as ALDO opens in China, Thailand, Taiwan, Russia, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan.
2007 - and Beyond Turkey, Romania, Venezuela, Panama, Indonesia, Philippines, Ukraine, Mexico and Chile join the ALDO family.
