Kids’ footwear brand, Bobux, has revealed exciting plans for 2024 – including partnering with UK distributor and wholesaler, HB Shoes, and recruiting design legend, Karen Strickland, as its new Lead Product Developer.
From humble beginnings in a New Zealand shed back in 1991 to a global presence with over 1,000 stockists in its key markets of UK, NZ, Australia and Italy, and a distribution into over 44 more territories through dedicated channel partners, Bobux is one of the leaders in children’s footwear.
The brand has recently announced its new exclusive distribution partnership to help grow the UK market even further. The UK is a foundation market for Bobux and makes up over a quarter of its global sales revenue and over a third of its total online sales revenue. With it being such an important market, it was decided that working directly with UK distributor, HB Shoes, and benefiting from a local team on the ground, with all their expertise on the UK market and its customers, would be the best move for Bobux in 2024.
Bobux Xplorer Go in Lilac & Bobux Stitch in Caramel
HB Shoes is one of the UK’s oldest premium footwear designers, distributors and wholesalers – working with carefully selected international brands to support their UK and Irish distribution, alongside the design and supply of HB branded footwear from small artisan factories in Tuscany and Southern Spain.
HB’s Owner and Managing Director, Justin Morgan, said he is hugely excited by the increased potential of Bobux in the UK. He will be responsible for overseeing everything from retail partner sales and customer service to its warehouse operations and the launch of a new UK e-commerce site.
In other news, design legend, Karen Strickland, joins Bobux as its Lead Product Developer. She joins with over 20 years’ experience in footwear design, with a particular passion for children’s footwear. She previously worked with Britain’s oldest shoe brand, Start-Rite, before moving to Clarks for a number of years. During this time, she developed a love for last shapes, constructions, materials and details and gained a huge interest for product design development and creating innovative children’s footwear.
In June 23, Bobux was bought by Australian company Munro Footwear Group (MFG) – Australasia’s largest privately-owned footwear company and with over 290 retail stores and more than 2,500 employees in Australia. MFG’s business model, robust supply chain and e-commerce expertise, along with Bobux’s brand recognition and loyal following, was the perfect partnership in helping the brand continue its journey in becoming a market leader.
