Roots Canada Ltd.

Roots Canada Ltd. (commonly called Roots) is an apparel retailer that sells clothes and accessories for women, men and children.

Contents

1 History 2 Operations 3 Popular Roots Products 4 External link

History

Roots was founded in 1973 by Michael Budman and Don Green, formerly of Detroit, Michigan. The store concept was based on their experiences at Ontario’s Algonquin Park during their childhood.

The company originally sold footwear at a single location in Toronto. Its first product was the Roots Negative Heel Shoe. It has since expanded its line of merchandise to include items such as jackets, bags, watches, luggage, sweatshirts and fashion accessories.

Operations

Roots has over 200 stores, with about 130 of them located in Canada. Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and the United Kingdom are the countries in which Roots operates the rest of their stores. Some of those international locations are operated through joint venture. In 2003 Roots reached an agreement with Saks to have 55 stores within Saks' department stores. The company is known for its strongly patriotic Canadian image, with beavers and maple leaves featured extensively on its merchandise. Many had speculated that Roots had planned on opening 300 stores of its own throughout the United States within a few years. It remains to be seen whether these plans will actually be followed through.

Roots is based in Toronto, Ontario, and had estimated sales of about $300 million in 2003. Since Roots is a privately owned company it does not disclose financial information.

Roots is perhaps best known as the official Olympic outfitter for several countries including Canada (from 1998-2004), Great Britain, USA and Barbados. Roots recently ended its partnership with the Canadian Olympic team; the Hudson's Bay Company signed a deal in 2005 to become the national Olympic outfitter until 2012.

Besides its retail and online operations, Roots products can be purchased at Sears Canada (stores and online), Modell's Sporting Goods in the U.S., Taiwan (12 stores), South Korea (68 stores).

Popular Roots Products

• Negative Heel Shoe - 1970s
• Beaver Athletic sweatshirt - 1985
• Tuff Boot
• "Poorboy" hat - 1998 Winter Olympics

External link

• Roots official Website
• Roots @ Sears Canada
• Roots USA