Press

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), a global brand development and licensing platform, today announced a new partnership with Chapters Brand Group (Chapters), a leading footwear distributor in the UK and Ireland. Under the agreement, Chapters will distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the regions.

“Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following,” said Henry Stupp, President, Lifestyle & Entertainment EMEAI at Authentic. “Chapters’ deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport’s presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.”

Founded in 1971, Rockport is known for combining innovative comfort technology with contemporary style. The brand offers a wide range of footwear that transitions seamlessly from work to weekend, delivering all-day comfort without compromising on design.

Authentic Brands Group has announced a new partnership with UK-based Chapters Brand Group with the British footwear distributor set to distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the UK and Ireland.

Chapters’ current portfolio includes brands such as Cat Footwear, Norda, Original Penguin, Bench, Lambretta, Osprey London and Kickers bags and clothing.

Meanwhile global brand development and licensing platform Authentic controls and manages a vast range of brands, including Juicy Couture, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker and many more and operates a vast network of licenses around the world. In fact, Authentic owns more than 50 global brands, generating approximately $32 billion in annual retail sales.

American footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide has taken on Chapters Brand Group as its exclusive UK distribution partner for Cat Footwear.

Having already established a wholesale network including Urban Outfitters, Tower and 40 independent stores for Cat Footwear through its UK office, Wolverine Worldwide has taken what could be seen as an unusual step in outsourcing distribution to Chapters to grow the brand’s presence in the UK further.

Chapters Brand Group was only founded in June 2023. However, the company's origins can be traced back to 2007 when father and son team Malcolm and Antony Nathan founded the footwear distribution company, 33 Joints.

Going back to the 1990s, Malcom Nathan was a former International Sales Director for Cat Footwear, which could have played a significant part in securing this new deal.

In order to expand the Cat Footwear brand in the UK, Wolverine Worldwide, the global footwear licensee, has announced a new collaboration with Chapters Brand Group, a British footwear distributor.

Wolverine Worldwide announced in a statement that Chapters Brand Group will be the exclusive distributor of Cat-licensed footwear products to UK retailers. The company hopes to increase the presence of the long-lasting, fashionable footwear, which draws inspiration from Caterpillar Inc.’s industrial past, both in-store and online.

Chapters Brand Group has already obtained distribution for Cat-licensed products at top UK shops like Tower, Urban Outfitters, and more than forty independent stores since partnering earlier this year. The group also stated that talks with other significant retailers “are ongoing.”