COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 44821

Shoe Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

10companies1892–1991founding years10still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedWeyco Group, IncorporatedFoundedWeyco Group, Incorporated
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedThe Stride Rite CorporationFoundedThe Stride Rite Corporation
1919
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedShoe Carnival Inc.FoundedShoe Carnival Inc.
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedSteven Madden, Ltd.FoundedSteven Madden, Ltd.
1990
FoundedValue City Department Stores, Inc.FoundedValue City Department Stores, Inc.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Weyco Group, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1892
Weyco Group, Incorporated is a major manufacturer, purchaser, and marketer of men's and boy's footwear, including…
Weyco Group, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1892
Weyco Group, Incorporated is a major manufacturer, purchaser, and marketer of men's and boy's footwear, including…
The Stride Rite Corporation →
Active · founded 1919
Founded in 1919 as Green Shoe Manufacturing Company, the Stride Rite Corporation has become a major designer and…
The Stride Rite Corporation →
Active · founded 1919
Founded in 1919 as Green Shoe Manufacturing Company, the Stride Rite Corporation has become a major designer and…
Shoe Carnival Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
Shoe Carnival Inc.
Shoe Carnival Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
Shoe Carnival Inc.
Steven Madden, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1990
Steven Madden, Ltd.
Steven Madden, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1990
Steven Madden, Ltd.
Value City Department Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Value City Department Stores, Inc.
Value City Department Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Value City Department Stores, Inc.
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