United States Shoe Corporation

United States Shoe Corporation

Company type	Public
Industry	Retail (footwear, apparel, optical)
Founded	1879
Fate	Acquired by Luxottica
Headquarters	Cincinnati , United States
Products	Footwear, apparel, optical products

The United States Shoe Corporation—commonly referred to as U.S. Shoe—was a diversified retail conglomerate based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It managed a variety of retail outlets and brands primarily focused on footwear, apparel, and optical products. Among its most prominent holdings was the optical retailer LensCrafters, which U.S. Shoe owned from 1984 until the company was acquired by Luxottica in 1995.

History

The origins of U.S. Shoe trace back to 1879 with the founding of the Stern-Auer Shoe Company in Cincinnati. In 1921, eight additional shoe manufacturers from Cincinnati merged to create the United States Shoe Corporation, with Red Cross Shoes serving as its leading brand. However, by 1929 the conglomerate faced difficulties, prompting Joseph Stern, leader of Stern-Auer, to propose a merger between the two entities on the condition that he assume responsibility for marketing Red Cross Shoes. After two years of discussions, the consolidated United States Shoe Corporation was established with Stern appointed president. The company weathered the Great Depression by reducing Red Cross shoe prices from $10 to $6. At the start of World War II, following objections from the American Red Cross regarding commercial use of their name, U.S. Shoe voluntarily ceased using "Red Cross." The Federal Trade Commission permitted the company to resume using the name in 1948, provided it clearly stated no affiliation with the American Red Cross.

In 1955, U.S. Shoe expanded by acquiring Joyce Inc., a manufacturer specializing in women's footwear, and two years later secured rights to the Selby brand. The company also launched additional brands including Cobbies and Socialites. Entering the children's shoe sector in 1961, it purchased Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Co., known for its Jumping Jacks line. During the 1960s, U.S. Shoe ventured into shoe retailing by acquiring Wm. Hahn & Co. in 1963 and Cutter-Karcher Shoe Company in 1964. Diversification continued with entry into apparel through acquiring women's clothing retailer Casual Corner in 1969 and establishing men's clothing chain J. Riggings in 1970. The discount women's apparel chain T.H. Mandy was added in 1981. In 1984, U.S. Shoe acquired optical retailer LensCrafters, which at that time operated only three stores; by 1989 it had grown to 350 locations and accounted for 40 percent of U.S. Shoe's operating profits.

The apparel segment broadened its portfolio with chains such as Career Image, Petite Sophisticate, and August Max Woman. J. Riggings was divested to Edison Brothers Stores in 1987, while teen apparel chain Ups 'N' Downs and women's clothing retailer Caren Charles were sold off in 1993. T.H. Mandy ceased operations in 1991. Although some core footwear brands declined in popularity, newer offerings like Easy Spirit gained consumer favor.

In 1995, Luxottica initiated an aggressive takeover bid targeting U.S. Shoe primarily to obtain LensCrafters. That same year, U.S. Shoe agreed to divest its footwear division to the Nine West Group. Subsequently, Luxottica announced an agreement to acquire U.S. Shoe for $1.4 billion in April 1995. Later that year, Luxottica separated U.S. Shoe’s apparel operations—then called the Women's Specialty Retailing Group and including Casual Corner—transferring ownership to a company controlled by Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio and his family.