About Us : History

1917 - 1980 Originally founded in 1917, "Bensonshoe" (as it was formerly known) was acquired by the Smith family in 1980. At this point sales were £1.6 million.	Benson Shoe Worcester
1981 In 1981 Wassall plc, a midlands based footwear retailer with 43 stores was acquired more than doubling the company's turnover.
1986 The acquisition of Leicester based Tylers followed 5 years later adding a further 61 branches and sales of about £9m.	Tylers Clonmel 1972
2000 Organic growth continued and by 2000 we traded from 184 stores with sales in excess of £55 million. In late 2000, the Leicester based Oliver Group plc was acquired adding 258 stores to our portfolio.	$Olivers Ilfracombe 1909 frontage$ Olivers Ilfracombe 1909
2003 - 2007 Following a period of consolidation organic growth began again and by September 2007 we traded from 400 Shoe Zone stores with an annual turnover in excess of £140 million.
September 2007 Acquistion of the Shoefayre business added 250 stores to the portfolio.

1917 - 1980