Aldo
Aldo Group · Canada
Aldo is a Canadian footwear and accessories brand founded in Montreal in 1972 by Aldo Bensadoun. It is part of The Aldo Group, led by CEO David Bensadoun since 2017.
| Founded | 1972, Montreal |
|---|---|
| Founder | Aldo Bensadoun |
| CEO | David Bensadoun (since 2017) |
| Headquarters | Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada |
| Group banners | Aldo, Call It Spring, Globo Shoes, Pegabo |
| Segment | Footwear |
What is Aldo?
Aldo is a footwear and accessories brand and the namesake of The Aldo Group. According to Wikipedia, Aldo shoes began as a footwear concession within the Le Chateau chain in Montreal in 1972, founded by Aldo Bensadoun.
Company and leadership
The Aldo Group is headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and moved to a nearby Saint-Laurent location during its 2020 restructuring. David Bensadoun, the founder's son, was appointed CEO in 2017, and Norman Jaskolka is listed as deputy chair. The source does not name a separate parent owner, so none is stated here.
Brands
The group's banners include Aldo, Call It Spring, Globo Shoes, Feetfirst and Locale. It also revived the Pegabo brand, which is sold at Hudson's Bay in Canada. In 2024 it licensed the Sperry brand for North American operations from Authentic Brands Group, and plans to open 23 Sperry stores in North America.
Business model and distribution
The Aldo Group owns its stores in Canada and the United States, while its international stores are franchised. The first store outside North America opened in Israel in 1995. Call It Spring is also sold as a shop-in-shop in JCPenney stores. The mix of own retail, franchising and licensing is the core of the model. No revenue figures are cited here.
Why it matters
Aldo is one of Canada's best known fashion retail exporters and shows how a founder-led footwear group can combine own stores, franchise partners and brand licences. Its Sperry arrangement is a recent example of a retailer operating a third-party brand.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Aldo?
Aldo is part of The Aldo Group, founded by Aldo Bensadoun and led by his son David Bensadoun as CEO since 2017. The source reviewed does not name a separate parent owner.
Where is Aldo from?
Aldo is a Canadian brand founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1972. The group is headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Quebec.