Regal Shoe
Regal Corporation · Japan
Regal is a Japanese shoe maker whose current company was founded on 21 January 1902 as Nippon Seika in Tokyo. It traces its roots to Japan's first shoe company of 1870 and is now run as Regal Corporation. It matters as a long-established Japanese maker of Goodyear welted men's shoes.
| Company founded | 1902 (predecessor 1870) |
|---|---|
| Founder of predecessor | Nishimura Katsuzo |
| Operator | Regal Corporation |
| Headquarters | Urayasu, Chiba, Japan |
| Segment | Footwear |
What is Regal Shoe?
Regal is a Japanese footwear maker and retailer that produces, sells and repairs men's and women's shoes, with men's shoes mainly in Goodyear welt construction. It is run by Regal Corporation, listed in Japan.
History
According to Japanese Wikipedia, Regal's predecessor, Ise Katsu Shoe Works, was set up in 1870 as Japan's first shoe company by Nishimura Katsuzo. The current company was founded on 21 January 1902 as Nippon Seika in Kyobashi, Tokyo, by combining the shoe-making divisions of five firms. Historically it supplied military boots to the Imperial Japanese Army and it still makes combat half-boots for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Regal opened its first directly operated store in 1970 at the Yaesu exit of Tokyo Station and acquired the Regal trademark from the US company Brown in 1990. The company listed on JASDAQ in 2004.
Products and positioning
Brands named in the source include Regal, Regal Tokyo, Shetland Fox, Kenford, Naturalizer, Regal Kids and Regal Walker. The headquarters moved from Senju in Adachi, Tokyo, to Urayasu in Chiba Prefecture in 2010.
Business model and distribution
Regal operates its own retail stores, and overseas it formed a Shanghai joint venture with the Itochu group in 2005, set up a Hong Kong sourcing base in 2006 and opened a Suzhou production base in 2008. The source does not describe wholesale or online channels, and it names no controlling shareholder.
Why it matters
Regal links the early history of Japanese shoemaking to the current market, combining a military-supply past with a dedicated retail network and Goodyear welt construction.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Regal Shoe from?
Regal is a Japanese brand. The current company was founded in Tokyo in 1902 as Nippon Seika, and its predecessor dates to 1870.
Who owns Regal Shoe?
Regal is run by Regal Corporation, which listed on JASDAQ in 2004. The source consulted does not name a controlling shareholder.