Barratts Shoes
Barratts Shoes is a British footwear retail brand established in Northampton in 1903 and relaunched online in 2025.
Last updated October 30, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Barratts Shoes is a British footwear retail brand whose history began with the W Barratt Boot and Shoe Company, established by William Barratt in Northampton in 1903. The company developed during the period when Northampton was one of the United Kingdom’s principal centres of shoe manufacturing and became a significant local producer and retailer. In 1913, it moved into a neo-Baroque factory designed by John Macvicar Anderson, reflecting the scale and ambitions of the business. Barratts achieved particular prominence during the 1920s. Its richly produced boot catalogues used commissioned artwork, decorative layouts and endorsements to present footwear as an aspirational consumer product. The 1923 catalogue included an endorsement and illustrated contribution from couturier Lady Duff Gordon. This catalogue-led marketing helped distinguish Barratts in an era when printed promotional material was an important way for footwear businesses to build national recognition. The brand continued to use the advertising phrase “Walk the Barratt Way” as it expanded through the middle decades of the twentieth century. A major corporate turning point came in 1964, when Stylo Boot Company acquired W Barratt and Company and combined the businesses in Bradford. Stylo had originated as a family-run footwear enterprise in 1935 and had become a listed company with a substantial retail estate. Under Stylo ownership, Barratts became the better-known consumer-facing name and expanded to more than 400 outlets at its peak. Its estate included high-street shops, concessions and later online activity. The broader group also operated other footwear concepts, including Priceless, which was developed through the conversion of stores acquired or inherited from businesses such as Bacons Shoes and Shoe and Sport Depot. The company continued to broaden its retail portfolio during the 1990s and 2000s. In 1996, Stylo acquired the UK retail business for Hush Puppies from Sears and purchased Bacons Shoes in the West Midlands. In 2008, it bought 24 stores and the Dolcis brand name after Dolcis collapsed, with those locations subsequently rebranded as Barratts. Barratts also operated concessions in Arcadia Group businesses, including Dorothy Perkins, and maintained online distribution through third-party retail platforms. The business then entered a prolonged period of financial and operational difficulty. After reporting a trading loss of £12.5 million in 2008, Stylo’s shares were suspended in January 2009. Barratts and Priceless entered administration soon afterwards, and administrators announced the closure of 220 stores with approximately 2,500 job losses. A management team led by Michael Ziff acquired the remaining stores, concessions and brands through Barratts Priceless Ltd. That company entered administration in December 2011, leading to further closures and job losses. In January 2012, a Ziff-led management team acquired 89 Barratts and Priceless stores through Barratts Trading Ltd and continued to sell through stores, its own e-commerce operation and online marketplaces. Barratts faced another cash-flow crisis in 2013, when difficulties in purchasing seasonal stock affected preparations for the Christmas trading period. The company entered administration for the third time in five years on 11 November 2013, with 18 stores closing immediately. Pavers Shoes purchased 14 stores in December 2013. In January 2014, the Barratts brand and website were acquired by footwear entrepreneur Harvey Jacobsen and former Barratts buying and merchandising director Simon Robson. The historic physical retail business should be distinguished from later ownership of the brand and digital assets. Reference material states that the Barratts brand and website were purchased and relaunched online in 2025. The available material does not identify the current legal owner, precise operating structure, headquarters or website address of the relaunched business. Barratts is therefore best described as an active footwear brand with a long-standing British retail heritage, while the scale and geographic reach of its post-2025 operation remain unclear. The company continued to broaden its retail portfolio during the 1990s and 2000s. In 1996, Stylo acquired the UK retail business for Hush Puppies from Sears and purchased Bacons Shoes in the West Midlands. From 1997, Bacons stores were progressively converted to the Priceless format, with a self-service model used in the first conversion; by 1999 the Priceless concept was fully operational. Barratts also operated more than 300 concessions in Arcadia Group businesses, including Dorothy Perkins, and supported online sales through its own and partner channels. On 13 February 2008, after Dolcis collapsed, Stylo acquired 24 Dolcis stores and the Dolcis name, rebranding the shops as Barratts. The group’s financial position deteriorated soon afterwards. Following a reported £12.5 million trading loss in 2008, Stylo’s shares were suspended on 26 January 2009. Barratts and Priceless entered administration, and Deloitte announced the closure of 220 stores, with approximately 2,500 jobs affected. The remaining 160 stores, 165 concessions and the Barratts and Priceless brands were sold to a management team led by Michael Ziff through Barratts Priceless Ltd. That company entered administration in December 2011, closing 100 stores and 359 concessions and causing a further reported 2,500 job losses. In January 2012, a Ziff-led management team acquired 89 stores through Barratts Trading Ltd, combining company-owned shops with e-commerce and sales through Amazon, Debenhams and eBay. The business encountered further difficulties in 2013. Its Jersey shop closed during the year, and reports in October described a cash-flow crisis that made it difficult to buy new stock for the Christmas season. Barratts entered administration on 11 November 2013, with 18 immediate store closures. Pavers Shoes purchased 14 stores in December. In January 2014, footwear entrepreneur Harvey Jacobsen and former Barratts buying and merchandising director Simon Robson bought the Barratts brand and website, separating ownership of the brand and digital assets from the failed high-street retail operation. The available reference material also records a separate Stylo-related sports label, Stylo Matchmakers. Created in 1966 by Paul Ziff with assistance from sports marketing figure Mark McCormack, the label gained visibility through football and was associated with players including Pelé and George Best. In May 2017, British entrepreneur and sports agent Scott Michaels reportedly registered the Stylo Matchmakers brand globally and revived it. This was a related Stylo heritage brand rather than a Barratts Shoes product line. In 2025, the Barratts brand and website were reportedly purchased and relaunched online. The current legal owner, management, website address, product range and operating markets of the revived business are not specified in the available material. Barratts’ documented history therefore spans industrial shoe manufacturing, large-scale British high-street retail, concession and marketplace distribution, repeated administrations, asset sales and a later digital relaunch.
History
Barratts Shoes originated in Northampton in 1903, when William Barratt established the W Barratt Boot and Shoe Company. The business grew alongside Northampton’s established footwear-manufacturing industry and became one of the town’s prominent shoe companies. In 1913 it moved into a neo-Baroque factory designed by John Macvicar Anderson. The 1920s were an important period in the development of Barratts’ public identity. The company issued lavish boot catalogues containing commissioned illustrations and decorative material. Its 1923 catalogue featured the couturier Lady Duff Gordon, who endorsed the publication and contributed an illustrated introduction to its women’s section. This marketing activity gave the company an aspirational image at a time when catalogues were a principal medium for national retail promotion. Barratts continued to advertise under the slogan “Walk the Barratt Way” during the middle part of the twentieth century. In 1964, Stylo Boot Company acquired W Barratt and Company and merged the businesses in Bradford. Stylo had been formed in 1935 from the consolidation of three companies and had subsequently become a listed footwear retailer. Under Stylo, Barratts became the principal consumer-facing brand and expanded from a substantial regional business into a national chain. The estate eventually exceeded 400 outlets at its height. Stylo continued to develop a multi-brand footwear strategy. In 1996 it acquired the UK retail business for Hush Puppies from Sears and bought Bacons Shoes in the West Midlands. The Bacons stores were progressively converted to the Priceless format from 1997, with a self-service model used in the first conversion. By 1999 the Priceless concept was fully operational. Barratts also operated more than 300 concessions in Arcadia Group businesses, including Dorothy Perkins, and supported online sales through its own and partner channels. On 13 February 2008, Stylo acquired 24 stores and the Dolcis name after Dolcis collapsed. These locations were rebranded as Barratts. The group’s financial position deteriorated soon afterwards. Following a reported £12.5 million trading loss in 2008, Stylo’s shares were suspended on 26 January 2009. Barratts and Priceless entered administration, and Deloitte announced the closure of 220 stores, with approximately 2,500 jobs affected. The remaining 160 stores, 165 concessions and the Barratts and Priceless brands were sold to a management team led by Michael Ziff through Barratts Priceless Ltd. That company entered administration in December 2011, closing 100 stores and 359 concessions and causing a further reported 2,500 job losses. In January 2012, a Ziff-led management team acquired 89 stores through Barratts Trading Ltd. The new operation combined company-owned shops with e-commerce and sales through Amazon, Debenhams and eBay. The business encountered further difficulties in 2013. Its Jersey shop closed during the year, and reports in October described a cash-flow crisis that made it difficult to buy new stock for the Christmas season. Barratts entered administration on 11 November 2013, with 18 immediate store closures. Pavers Shoes purchased 14 stores in December. In January 2014, footwear entrepreneur Harvey Jacobsen and former Barratts buying and merchandising director Simon Robson bought the Barratts brand and website. The available reference material also records a separate Stylo-related sports label, Stylo Matchmakers. Created in 1966 by Paul Ziff with assistance from sports marketing figure Mark McCormack, the label gained visibility through football and was associated with players including Pelé and George Best. In May 2017, British entrepreneur and sports agent Scott Michaels reportedly registered the Stylo Matchmakers brand globally and revived it. This was a related Stylo heritage brand rather than a Barratts Shoes product line. In 2025, the Barratts brand and website were reportedly purchased and relaunched online. The current legal owner, management, website address, product range and operating markets of the revived business are not specified in the available material. Barratts’ documented history therefore spans industrial shoe manufacturing, large-scale British high-street retail, concession and marketplace distribution, repeated administrations, asset sales and a later digital relaunch.
- 2025
Online relaunch
[1]Reference material states that the Barratts brand and website were purchased and relaunched online.
- 2014
Brand and website sold to new owners
[1]Harvey Jacobsen and Simon Robson acquired the Barratts brand and website.
- 2013
Third administration in five years
[1]Barratts entered administration on 11 November after a cash-flow crisis and stock-purchasing difficulties.
- 2012
Barratts Trading acquires 89 stores
[1]A management team led by Michael Ziff acquired 89 Barratts and Priceless stores through Barratts Trading Ltd.
- 2009
First major administration and restructuring
[1]Barratts and Priceless entered administration after Stylo’s financial difficulties, leading to extensive closures and job losses.
- 2008
Dolcis stores rebranded as Barratts
[1]Stylo acquired 24 stores and the Dolcis name, and the locations were rebranded as Barratts.
- 1996
Expansion of Stylo’s footwear portfolio
[1]Stylo acquired the UK Hush Puppies retail business from Sears and purchased Bacons Shoes.
- 1964
Acquisition by Stylo
[1]Stylo acquired W Barratt and Company and merged the businesses in Bradford.
- 1923
Promotional catalogue endorsed by Lady Duff Gordon
[1]Barratts’ luxury catalogue featured an endorsement and illustrated contribution from couturier Lady Duff Gordon.
- 1913
Move to a purpose-built neo-Baroque factory
[1]The company moved into a factory designed by John Macvicar Anderson.
Products and positioning
Historically, Barratts positioned itself as an accessible, broad-range footwear retailer serving family and everyday needs. Its offer combined branded and own-label footwear across women's, men's and children's categories, with distribution through high-street shops, concessions and e-commerce. The current positioning of the relaunched online business is not sufficiently documented.
Footwear
Women's footwear
Women’s footwear was a central part of Barratts’ historic assortment and promotional activity. The company’s 1923 catalogue included a dedicated women’s section, while the later retail chain offered accessible shoes and boots for everyday, work and occasion use. The precise assortment of the post-2025 online operation is not documented.
Footwear
Men's footwear
Men’s shoes and boots formed part of Barratts’ broad family footwear proposition. Historically, the brand served mainstream high-street demand rather than focusing on a narrowly defined specialist category. Current product details following the online relaunch have not been established from the available sources.
Footwear
Children's footwear
Barratts operated as a family-oriented footwear retailer, with children’s shoes among the categories associated with its broad retail model. The historic chain used stores, concessions and online channels to reach household shoppers. No verified details are available about the children’s range offered by the revived online brand.
Footwear
Boots and everyday shoes
Boots and everyday shoes are consistent with Barratts’ original manufacturing heritage and later mass-market retail role. The company became known for boot catalogues in the 1920s and subsequently sold a wide range of practical and fashion-led footwear. Specific current styles and labels are not identified in the reference material.
E-commerce footwear retail · 2025
Barratts online assortment
The Barratts brand and website were reportedly relaunched online in 2025. Available information confirms the digital relaunch but does not provide a verified catalogue, pricing structure, fulfilment model or current range breakdown.
Marketing campaigns
- 1923Barratts boot catalogue
United Kingdom
Barratts used an elaborately designed catalogue with commissioned artwork and a contribution from Lady Duff Gordon to promote its footwear as fashionable and aspirational. The catalogue contributed to the brand’s prosperity and helped establish a distinctive promotional identity during the 1920s.
Outcome. The catalogue contributed to the brand’s prosperity and helped establish a distinctive promotional identity during the 1920s.
- Walk the Barratt Way
United Kingdom · Ireland
Barratts used the “Walk the Barratt Way” slogan in its mid-century advertising to express the brand’s footwear and lifestyle proposition. The slogan became part of the company’s long-running advertising identity.
Outcome. The slogan became part of the company’s long-running advertising identity.
Brand decisions
2025
Online brand relaunchProduct launchBackground
Reference material indicates that the Barratts brand and website changed hands and returned as an online business.
Action taken
The brand and website were reportedly purchased and relaunched online.
Aftermath
Barratts resumed activity as a digital footwear brand, although the current owner, product range and scale are not documented.
2014
Sale of the Barratts brand and websiteM&ABackground
The retail company entered administration in November 2013 after cash-flow and stock-purchasing difficulties.
Action taken
Harvey Jacobsen and Simon Robson purchased the Barratts brand and website.
Aftermath
Ownership of the brand and digital assets was separated from the failed high-street retail operation.
2012
Restart through Barratts TradingStrategyBackground
After Barratts Priceless Ltd entered administration in 2011, a management team sought to preserve part of the retail operation.
Action taken
Barratts Trading Ltd acquired 89 Barratts and Priceless stores and combined physical retail with e-commerce and marketplace sales.
Aftermath
The reduced business continued operating until another administration in November 2013.
2009
Administration and store rationalisationOtherBackground
Stylo reported a £12.5 million trading loss in 2008, and its shares were suspended in January 2009.
Action taken
Barratts and Priceless entered administration, and Deloitte announced the closure of 220 stores.
Aftermath
Approximately 2,500 jobs were affected, while the remaining stores, concessions and brands were sold to a management team led by Michael Ziff.
Trading loss. £12.5 million loss (2008)
2008
Acquisition and rebranding of Dolcis storesM&ABackground
Dolcis had collapsed, creating an opportunity to acquire stores and its brand name.
Action taken
Stylo bought 24 Dolcis stores and the Dolcis name, then rebranded the shops as Barratts.
Aftermath
The move temporarily added locations to the Barratts estate shortly before Stylo’s financial crisis.
1996
Stylo acquires Hush Puppies retail operations and Bacons ShoesM&ABackground
Stylo pursued a broader multi-brand strategy in the UK footwear market.
Action taken
It purchased the UK retail business for Hush Puppies from Sears and acquired Bacons Shoes in the West Midlands.
Aftermath
Bacons stores were progressively converted to the Priceless format, expanding Stylo’s discount-oriented retail network.
1964
Stylo acquires W Barratt and CompanyM&ABackground
Stylo was expanding its footwear operations and acquired the established Northampton footwear company.
Action taken
The two businesses were merged in Bradford, with Barratts becoming the principal consumer-facing brand.
Aftermath
Barratts expanded substantially under Stylo and ultimately grew to more than 400 outlets at its peak.
Recent events
- 2025
Barratts brand reportedly relaunches online[1]
Product launch
Reference material states that the Barratts brand and website were purchased and relaunched online. Details of the current owner and operating scale are not identified.
- 2014
Barratts brand and website acquired[1]
M&A
Harvey Jacobsen and Simon Robson acquired the Barratts brand and website after the company’s 2013 administration.
- 2013
Barratts enters administration again[1]
Bankruptcy
After reported cash-flow problems and difficulty securing seasonal stock, Barratts entered administration on 11 November 2013 and closed 18 stores immediately.
- 2013
Pavers Shoes buys 14 Barratts stores[1]
M&A
Pavers Shoes acquired 14 Barratts stores during the administration process.
- 2012
Barratts Trading acquires 89 stores[1]
M&A
A management team led by Michael Ziff acquired 89 Barratts and Priceless stores through Barratts Trading Ltd.
- 2011
Barratts Priceless enters administration[1]
Bankruptcy
Barratts Priceless Ltd entered administration, prompting the immediate closure of 100 stores and 359 concessions and resulting in about 2,500 job losses.
- 2009
Stylo reports a major trading loss and suspends its shares[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Stylo reported a £12.5 million trading loss, followed by suspension of its shares and the administration of Barratts and Priceless.
- 2009
Administrators announce extensive Barratts and Priceless closures[1]
Bankruptcy
Deloitte announced the closure of 220 Barratts and Priceless stores, with approximately 2,500 associated job losses.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/barratts-shoes · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled