Aldo

Aldo is a global footwear and accessories retailer founded in 1972 by Aldo Bensadoun in Montreal. The company designs and sells shoes, handbags, and accessories for men and women through its retail stores and e-commerce platform. As of 2024, Aldo operates over 1,600 stores across more than 110 countries.

Bensadoun, the grandson of a shoe cobbler and son of a shoe merchant, opened his first location as a concession stand in a department store before launching Aldo's first standalone store on Rue St. Catherine in Montreal. The original Frida clog became the brand's first signature shoe. From that single location, the company expanded into a multinational retail operation with stores in major shopping centers and urban locations worldwide.

The Aldo Group encompasses multiple brands, including the flagship Aldo brand, Call It Spring, and serves as the core footwear partner for Sperry in North America. The company also operates a wholesale licensing division, designing and distributing fashion footwear, handbags, and accessories for brands including ROXY, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker, and Hunter.

Aldo's real estate strategy centers on high-traffic mall and street locations in prime urban and suburban markets. The typical Aldo store ranges from 1,100 to 1,300 square feet, though individual locations may vary based on market conditions and venue type. The company has demonstrated flexibility in store formats, including technology-integrated "Connected Store" concepts and localized design approaches tailored to specific markets. With over 720 stores in its North American portfolio alone, Aldo maintains an active real estate presence and continues to evaluate new site opportunities across the United States and Canada.