Florsheim Shoes
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Footwear |
| Founded | January 1, 1892 in Chicago, United States |
| Founder | Milton S. Florsheim |
| Headquarters | Glendale, Wisconsin , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr., John W. Florsheim |
| Products | Shoes, footwear |
| Owner | Descendants of the Florsheim family via Weyco Group |
| Parent | Weyco Group |
Florsheim Shoes is a footwear brand originating from the United States, established in Chicago in 1892. It currently operates as a subsidiary under the Weyco Group, which remains under the ownership of descendants from the Florsheim founding family.
History
The inception of Florsheim & Co. dates back to 1892 in Chicago, founded by Milton S. Florsheim. The company not only manufactured shoes but also actively promoted its brand through affiliated retail outlets. By 1930, the firm was producing women's footwear across five factories in Chicago, employing approximately 2,500 workers. It managed 71 stores, either fully or partially company-owned, and distributed products to about 9,000 retailers throughout the United States.
Following Milton Florsheim’s passing in 1936, leadership transitioned to his son Irving. Later, in 1946, Harold Florsheim assumed the presidency while Irving took on the role of chairman.
In 1953, Florsheim was acquired by International Shoe Company—the largest shoe manufacturer globally at that time—for $21 million. Although integrated as a division, Florsheim maintained operational independence and experienced a doubling of sales within its first ten years under International Shoe. The brand accounted for roughly 25% of International Shoe’s revenue and contributed significantly to its profits. Holding a dominant 70% share in the premium men's shoe market, Florsheim consistently outperformed its parent company during economic downturns.
Florsheim marketed women's footwear through Thayer-McNeil stores, another International Shoe-owned chain (later known as Interco). During the 1980s, the brand expanded its product line to include athletic shoes following a merger of Interco’s shoe divisions into Florsheim.
After Interco filed for bankruptcy protection in 1991 but retained ownership of Florsheim until it exited the footwear sector in 1994, Florsheim emerged as an independent entity and rebranded itself as Florsheim Shoe Group in 1996.
Throughout the mid-1990s, Florsheim operated numerous retail outlets within American shopping malls. However, escalating competition from retailers such as Journeys and Finish Line, combined with a decline in mall-based shoe sales, led to widespread store closures by the early 2000s. This trend mirrored the downturn experienced by other established shoe brands like Kinney Shoes and Thom McAn.
In 2002, Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. and John W. Florsheim of Weyco Group acquired the brand for $47 million.
In 2009, Florsheim collaborated with designer Duckie Brown to introduce a new collection of men's shoes.
Notable people
Renowned entertainer Michael Jackson was known for wearing Florsheim Shoes during his performances, favoring models such as Como, Como Imperial, and Berkley that featured custom leather heels. Loafers worn and autographed by Jackson have fetched prices exceeding $14,000 at auctions.
See also
- Florsheim Shoe Company Building located in Chicago