Grimoldi

Grimoldi is an Argentine footwear company founded in Buenos Aires in 1895 by the Italian immigrant Tomás Grimoldi. It makes and retails shoes, including school and children's footwear, and has carried international brands such as Hush Puppies, Timberland and Merrell.

What is Grimoldi?

Grimoldi is one of Argentina's longest established footwear businesses. It grew from a shoe repair workshop into a manufacturer and retailer with its own chain of shoe stores.

History

Tomás Grimoldi, an Italian immigrant, started out repairing shoes in a small workshop on Piedad Street (today Bartolomé Mitre Street) in downtown Buenos Aires, and opened his business in 1895. In the 1920s the company is credited with introducing the half size to Argentine shoemaking. During the 1930s it opened its own retail stores, and in 1985 the business became Grimoldi SA.

Products and positioning

The company built its reputation on everyday footwear, with school shoes and children's shoes as long standing categories. Over time its portfolio came to include international brands such as Hush Puppies, Timberland and Merrell alongside its own production.

Distribution

Grimoldi sells through its own stores and an e-commerce platform. The group has also acted as a retail partner for international labels in Argentina, including an agreement to bring the Spanish fashion chain Mango back to the country with new stores.

Why it matters

With more than a century of trading, Grimoldi illustrates how a family founded shoemaker in Latin America evolved into a multi-brand footwear retailer, combining its own heritage label with licensed and distributed international names.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Grimoldi from?

Grimoldi is from Argentina. It was founded in downtown Buenos Aires in 1895.

Who founded Grimoldi?

The company was founded by Tomás Grimoldi, an Italian immigrant who began by repairing shoes.

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