ABC-Mart
A Japanese footwear retailer operating multi-brand stores across Japan and selected Asian markets.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
ABC-Mart is a Japanese footwear retail company that operates stores under the ABC-Mart name and related formats. Its core assortment includes athletic shoes, casual footwear, dress shoes, children's shoes, boots, apparel, and selected accessories. The retailer combines products from major international and domestic brands with exclusive distribution arrangements and products sold through its own retail network. This gives ABC-Mart a position that blends multi-brand specialty retail, brand distribution, and private-label or retailer-controlled merchandising. The business originated in 1985 when Masahiro Miki established Boeki Shoji Inc. in Shinjuku, Tokyo. After a corporate name change to International Trading Corporation in 1987, the ABC-Mart retail identity was established in 1990, initially with three Tokyo stores. A significant early commercial development came in 1991, when the company obtained exclusive Japanese sales rights for Vans products. That relationship helped strengthen ABC-Mart's position in branded casual and athletic footwear. ABC-Mart expanded its physical network through shopping centers, commercial districts, and other high-traffic retail locations. Its formats and merchandise categories address everyday footwear, sports and lifestyle consumption, family purchases, and more formal uses. The company has also developed online retail activity, although physical stores remain central to its public identity and operating model. The assortment and store concept can vary by market and format. The company was reorganized as a joint-stock company in 1997 and moved its headquarters to Shibuya the following year. In 2002, International Trading Corporation absorbed ABC-Mart and adopted ABC-Mart, Inc. as its corporate name; the company was also listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. International expansion followed with a first South Korean branch in 2003 and entry into Taiwan in 2009. In 2012, ABC-Mart acquired LaCrosse Footwear, a U.S. footwear company; LaCrosse subsequently acquired White's Boots in 2014, extending the group's connection to heritage and work-boot manufacturing. ABC-Mart opened its 1,000th store in 2019. In 2025, it entered the Philippines with flagship locations at Bonifacio High Street and Mitsukoshi BGC in Bonifacio Global City. Japan remains the company's principal market, while South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines represent its disclosed overseas retail markets. Store counts, brand rights, product assortments, and country-level operations can change over time.
History
ABC-Mart's origins date to 1985, when Masahiro Miki founded Boeki Shoji Inc. in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The company changed its name to International Trading Corporation, commonly abbreviated as ITC, in 1987 and moved to Arakawa. In 1990, the ABC-Mart retail business was established with three stores in Tokyo, creating the commercial identity that later became the group's principal brand. The company secured exclusive Japanese sales rights for Vans products in 1991. This arrangement gave ABC-Mart a stronger role in branded casual footwear and helped distinguish its stores from undifferentiated shoe retailers. Its retail model subsequently developed around a broad selection of athletic, casual, formal, children's, and boot products, combining third-party brands with products and distribution arrangements controlled or managed by the group. ABC-Mart was re-established as a joint-stock company in 1997 and transferred its headquarters to Shibuya in 1998. In 2002, ITC absorbed ABC-Mart and changed its own name to ABC-Mart, Inc. The company was also listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, formalizing its identity as a public Japanese footwear retailer. Overseas growth began with the opening of a South Korean branch in 2003, followed by entry into Taiwan in 2009. The company expanded beyond retail distribution through the 2012 acquisition of LaCrosse Footwear, a U.S. footwear business associated with outdoor, work, and heritage boot categories. LaCrosse later acquired White's Boots in 2014, adding another established American boot maker to the group structure. ABC-Mart continued to expand its store network in Japan and overseas and reported the opening of its 1,000th store in 2019. In 2025, the company entered the Philippines, opening flagship locations at Bonifacio High Street and Mitsukoshi BGC in Bonifacio Global City. This represented a further step into Southeast Asia after the company's earlier expansion in South Korea and Taiwan. The company's present identity is that of a Japan-centered, multi-brand footwear retailer with overseas operations in South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Its stores serve sports, lifestyle, casual, formal, children's, and work-boot needs, while its business interests also include brand distribution and footwear manufacturing relationships. Exact store totals, formats, ownership arrangements, and market coverage may change by reporting period.
- 2025
Philippines market entry
[1]ABC-Mart opens flagship stores at Bonifacio High Street and Mitsukoshi BGC in Bonifacio Global City.
- 2019
1,000th store opens
[1]ABC-Mart reaches the milestone of opening its 1,000th store.
- 2014
White's Boots joins the LaCrosse group
[1]LaCrosse Footwear acquires White's Boots, a U.S. boot manufacturer.
- 2012
LaCrosse Footwear acquisition
[1]ABC-Mart acquires the American footwear company LaCrosse Footwear.
- 2009
Taiwan expansion
[1]ABC-Mart begins operating in Taiwan.
- 2003
South Korean expansion
[1]The company opens its first branch in South Korea.
- 2002
ITC becomes ABC-Mart, Inc.
[1]International Trading Corporation absorbs ABC-Mart, adopts the ABC-Mart, Inc. name, and becomes publicly listed.
- 1998
Headquarters moves to Shibuya
[1]The company relocates its headquarters to Shibuya, Tokyo.
- 1997
Re-established as a joint-stock company
[1]ABC-Mart is reorganized as a joint-stock company.
- 1991
Vans sales rights secured in Japan
[1]ABC-Mart obtains exclusive Japanese sales rights for Vans products.
Products and positioning
A mass-market, accessible multi-brand footwear specialist focused on athletic, casual, lifestyle, family, and everyday-use footwear.
Footwear
Athletic footwear
ABC-Mart's athletic assortment includes sports and lifestyle sneakers intended for training, general exercise, walking, and everyday casual wear. The category is supplied through a multi-brand retail model, allowing the company to present different silhouettes, technologies, price levels, and brand identities within the same store network.
Footwear
Casual footwear
Casual footwear covers shoes intended for everyday urban use, leisure, and lifestyle dressing. The range can include sneakers, canvas shoes, sandals, and other less formal styles, with product selection varying across countries, store formats, seasons, and brand partnerships.
Footwear
Dress shoes
Dress and business footwear serves commuting, office, school, and formal-use occasions. It broadens ABC-Mart's offer beyond sports and casual products and helps the retailer address customers seeking conventional leather or formal-looking footwear through a general footwear specialty network.
Footwear
Children's footwear
Children's footwear is sold as part of the retailer's family-oriented assortment. The category addresses routine school, outdoor, sports, and everyday-wear needs and complements ABC-Mart's adult footwear ranges in stores serving household shoppers.
Footwear
Boots
Boots form an important specialist category in ABC-Mart's broader footwear interests, including outdoor, work, and heritage styles. The group's ownership of LaCrosse Footwear and its connection to White's Boots provide exposure to established American boot brands in addition to retail sales.
Exclusive distribution · 1991
Vans products in Japan
ABC-Mart obtained exclusive Japanese sales rights for Vans products in 1991. The arrangement is a notable part of the company's early development and reflects its role not only as a footwear retailer but also as a distributor and market operator for internationally recognized brands.
Adjacent merchandise
Apparel and accessories
Selected apparel and footwear accessories complement the core shoe assortment. These products support complete sports, casual, and lifestyle purchases, although footwear remains the defining category of the ABC-Mart retail proposition.
Brand decisions
2025
Enter the PhilippinesStrategyBackground
After building operations in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, ABC-Mart pursued a further Southeast Asian retail presence.
Action taken
The company opened flagship stores at Bonifacio High Street and Mitsukoshi BGC in Bonifacio Global City.
Aftermath
The openings marked ABC-Mart's entry into the Philippines and broadened its disclosed Asian operating footprint.
2012
Acquire LaCrosse FootwearM&ABackground
ABC-Mart sought to extend its footwear interests beyond Japanese retail and gain a stronger position in established outdoor and work-boot brands.
Action taken
ABC-Mart acquired the American footwear company LaCrosse Footwear.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the group's international footwear portfolio and was followed by LaCrosse Footwear's acquisition of White's Boots in 2014.
2002
Consolidate the business under the ABC-Mart nameStrategyBackground
International Trading Corporation and the ABC-Mart retail operation were brought together as the company prepared for public-market development.
Action taken
International Trading Corporation absorbed ABC-Mart, changed its corporate name to ABC-Mart, Inc., and became listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
The ABC-Mart name became the principal corporate and consumer-facing identity for the listed footwear retailer.
1991
Secure exclusive Vans sales rights in JapanStrategyBackground
ABC-Mart was developing its branded footwear retail proposition and sought stronger access to internationally recognized casual footwear.
Action taken
The company obtained exclusive Japanese sales rights for Vans products.
Aftermath
The arrangement strengthened ABC-Mart's role in branded footwear distribution and became an important early milestone in its retail development.
Recent events
- 2025
ABC-Mart opens in the Philippines[1]
Other
ABC-Mart entered the Philippines with flagship stores at Bonifacio High Street and Mitsukoshi BGC in Bonifacio Global City.
- 2019
ABC-Mart reaches 1,000 stores[1]
Other
The retailer opened its 1,000th store, marking a major scale milestone for its physical retail network.
- 2014
LaCrosse Footwear acquires White's Boots[1]
M&A
LaCrosse Footwear acquired U.S. boot maker White's Boots while under ABC-Mart ownership.
- 2012
ABC-Mart acquires LaCrosse Footwear[1]
M&A
ABC-Mart purchased LaCrosse Footwear, adding a U.S. footwear company to its broader group interests.
- 2009
ABC-Mart enters Taiwan[1]
Other
The company expanded its store operations into Taiwan after establishing its presence in Japan and South Korea.
- 2003
ABC-Mart opens its first South Korean branch[1]
Other
ABC-Mart began its South Korean retail operations, marking its first disclosed overseas store expansion.
Sources2 sources
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