Schuh
Genesco · United Kingdom
Schuh is a footwear retailer founded in 1981 in Edinburgh by Sandy Alexander and headquartered in Livingston, Scotland. US group Genesco acquired it in June 2011 for 125 million pounds, according to Wikipedia.
| Founded | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sandy Alexander |
| Owner | Genesco (acquired June 2011) |
| Headquarters | Livingston, Scotland |
| Stores | 109 as of August 2026 |
| Website | schuh.co.uk |
What is Schuh?
Schuh, written schuh, is a British footwear retailer that sells shoes from third-party brands alongside its own ranges. It was founded on 2 November 1981 by Sandy Alexander, with its first store in North Bridge Arcade in Edinburgh. The company is headquartered in Livingston, West Lothian.
Ownership
Genesco acquired Schuh in June 2011 for 125 million pounds, according to Wikipedia.
Business model and distribution
Wikipedia reports 109 stores as of August 2026 across the United Kingdom and Ireland, made up of 92 standalone schuh stores and 17 schuh | kids stores. The company also sells online at schuh.co.uk and uses a mobile-first website design, with online shopping complementing the high street estate.
- Own stores: 109 as of August 2026
- E-commerce: schuh.co.uk, mobile first
- Formats: schuh and schuh | kids
Why it matters
Schuh is among the best-known British footwear retailers and a clear example of an omnichannel model in which a physical store estate and a mobile-first online shop work together. As part of a US-listed parent group, it also shows how international retail groups use UK specialists to enter or deepen their presence in the market.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Schuh?
Schuh is owned by the US group Genesco, which acquired it in June 2011 for 125 million pounds, according to Wikipedia.
Where is Schuh from?
Schuh is from Scotland. It was founded in Edinburgh in 1981 and is headquartered in Livingston, West Lothian.