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ALDO is a worldwide chain of shoe stores founded by Aldo Bensadoun in Montreal, Quebec in 1972. It is now a worldwide company, with over 800 stores under 8 retail banners (ALDO, Stoneridge, FeetFirst, FIRST by FeetFirst, Transit/Spring (which also includes Spring by Transit), Globo, Aldo Accessories) each catering to a distinct well-defined customer group. There are also ALDO outlet and Spring outlet and clearance stores. Canadian, American and UK stores are corporate stores while the stores in the other countries are franchisee. The company also used to operate stores under the banners Simard and Pegabo, which have since been merged into the other banners. By 2009 all of the current Transit stores will be re-branded as Spring stores. ALDO is a privately-held company, which operates over 600 retail stores across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. They specialize in the creation of fashion footwear, leather goods and accessories. ALDO has also been growing across the entire Middle East.
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. 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 all continents except Antarctica!
