Ara
ara AG · Germany
Ara is a German comfort footwear brand headquartered in Langenfeld, founded in 1949. It belongs to ara AG, a holding that dewiki describes as family-owned by the Roeseler family. It matters as a large European maker of women's comfort shoes with a dedicated store network.
| Founded | 1949 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Paul Roeseler |
| Owner | ara AG (Roeseler family, per dewiki) |
| Headquarters | Langenfeld, Germany |
| Segment | Footwear |
| Website | ara-shoes.com |
What is Ara?
Ara is a German footwear brand focused on comfort shoes, primarily for women with a smaller men's range. It is the main brand of ara Shoes AG, part of the ara AG group.
History
According to the company, Paul Roeseler founded ara Schuhfabriken GmbH in 1949 in Solingen-Ohligs with two partners. The business moved to Langenfeld in 1951 and became a public limited company in 1975. In 1998 ara Schuhfabriken AG became the holding ara AG, with the footwear business run through ara Shoes AG. The company says it moved into a new building within Langenfeld in early 2025. Robert Roeseler, the founder's son, joined in 1973 and shaped the company's development until his death in 2010.
Products and positioning
The range covers sneakers, pumps, ballet pumps, loafers, boots and sandals, plus bags and shoe care. The company highlights several lines and features:
- Fusion4, with a Dynergy sole and knitted upper
- HighSoft cushioned pumps
- Motion and Easy2Go sneakers, redesigned in 2025
- Multiple width fittings and lightweight constructions
Business model and distribution
The group says it operates more than 500 ara concept stores in 27 countries, alongside factory outlets, retail partners, an online shop and a B2B shop for trade customers. Since 2020 it reports expanding retail and digital sales channels.
Dewiki describes ara AG as owned by the Roeseler family since its founding and lists further brands in the group, including Lloyd, Salamander and Lurchi, as well as a 49.9 per cent stake in Legero, the owner of Legero, Superfit and Think!. That figure comes from a secondary source and may have changed.
Why it matters
Ara is one of the larger German names in comfort footwear and an example of a vertically organised shoemaker combining its own stores, wholesale and online sales.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Ara shoes?
Ara belongs to ara AG, which dewiki describes as owned by the Roeseler family since its founding in 1949. The company's own history page does not list current shareholders.
Where is Ara from?
Ara is from Germany. It was founded in 1949 in Solingen-Ohligs and has been based in Langenfeld since 1951.