Roots Canada Ltd.
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Roots Canada Ltd. (commonly called Roots) is an apparel retailer that sells clothes and accessories for women, men and children.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Operations
Currently headed by co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green, Roots has expanded past its origins in clothing retail and now boasts multiple product lines, including:
- Roots Genuine Leather (shoes, jackets, bags and luggage);
- Roots Athletics (sportswear);
- Roots Kids and Roots Baby (children's clothing); and
- Roots Home (leather furniture, linens, towels and accessories).
Additional products such as timepieces, fragrances and luggage are also available in various stores.
Roots currently has more than 2,000 employees throughout Canada. The Company is based in Toronto, Ontario, and had estimated sales of about $300 million in 2003.
Besides its retail and online operations, Roots products can be purchased at, Modell's Sporting Goods in the U.S., Taiwan (12 stores).
[edit] Olympic Games
Roots is perhaps best known as the official Olympic outfitter for several countries including Canada (from 1998 to 2004), Great Britain, USA and Barbados.
The 1998 Nagano Olympics was a breakthrough event for the corporation, as the 'Poorboy' hats worn by the Canadian Olympic team became a marketing phenomenom. Over 500,000 were sold[1].
Roots followed up the success of the poorboy hats with Berets for the American Olympic team in in 2002, selling over a million units. [2]
Roots recently ended its partnership with the Canadian Olympic team in 2004; the Hudson's Bay Company signed a deal in 2005 to become the national outfitter through the 2012 Olympics. Roots does remain the official sponsor of the Canadian speedskating team.
[edit] Popular Roots Products
- Negative Heel Shoe - 1970s
- Beaver Athletic sweatshirt - 1985
- Tuff Boot
- "Poorboy" hat - 1998 Winter Olympics
