Kids’ footwear brand ‘designed for British weather’ acquired by childrenswear group
A specialist in children’s footwear that says its products are designed “with British children and the British weather in mind” has been taken over by a long-established manufacturer of childrenswear.
Poole-based Term Footwear is now part of Parently, which owns the David Luke school uniform brand, footwear and clothing brand Grass & Air and sportswear brand Juco.
Term was launched in 2009 by directors Sharon and Lincoln New. Sharon built the foundations of the firm, starting a school shoe business in 2010 by distributing the Toughees school shoes brand from her home-country of South Africa.
Their founding mission was to join with experienced UK designers to make shoes and boots with great comfort, design and fit that “let kids get on with their day to learn and play”.
Term’s product range caters to different age groups and preferences, from primary school children to teenagers, with options such as single and double touch-fastening straps, lace-ups and smart designs.
Its shoes are made from real leather sourced in New Zealand and South Africa as a by-product of open cattle farming, while the patent leathers are imported from Italy to ensure durability and a premium finish.
Additionally, double-dyed leather means that scratches and scuffs are easy to re-polish.
The firm says its footwear stands out because it combines fashionable design with good fit.
Sharon and Lincoln New will continue to work with Stockport-headquartered Parently to assist with the transition and share their specialist knowledge and expertise.
Kathryn Shuttleworth, chief executive of The Parently Group, said: “This move into school shoes comes at a time when the school uniform market is undergoing significant changes, driven by shifting ownership models and legislative uncertainties.
“In these times, diversification for wholesalers and retailers is essential. Expanding our offerings builds resistance and reduces risk as markets and products evolve.”
She said as a wholesale distributor with a wide retailer network, collaboration was in The Parently Group’s DNA.
“Since our founders, David Burgess and Adrian Luke, started the business, we have remained committed to bringing products that have a strong story that resonates with retail customers.
“We are thrilled about Term Footwear becoming part of our group of brands and look forward to sharing the great opportunities that come from adding these excellent products to our retail portfolio.”
David Burgess and Adrian Luke launched The Parently Group in 1982 by selling childrenswear from a small base in Manchester. It went on to expand into the school uniform market, developing a number of iconic uniform essentials.
It pioneered the use of recycled polyester yarn in its ground-breaking Eco-Uniform range that has saved 40m plastic bottles from going to landfill and went on to win The Queens Award for Sustainable Development.
In 1990 David Luke was awarded a licence to manufacture Scout uniforms, with a licence to supply Brownie and Guide uniforms following two years later.
In 2017 it launched Grass & Air, a weather-responsive collection of kids’ wellies with co-ordinating outerwear and accessories.
Danielle Tierney and Ben Bradley of Hurst Corporate Finance advised Parently on the acquisition. Mark Winthorpe and Arshnoor Amershi of Pannone Corporate provided legal advice.
Financial details of the takeover, Parently’s first, have not been undisclosed.
