Roots Canada
Canadian lifestyle brand known for apparel, leather goods, footwear, athletic wear, and home products. Roots is an American food brand.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Roots Canada is a Canadian lifestyle and apparel brand founded in Toronto in 1973 by Michael Budman and Don Green. The business began as a footwear company built around negative-heel shoes, a style associated with a recessed heel and a sole intended to encourage a natural walking posture. The shoes were initially produced by the Kowalewski family and their Boa Shoe Company before Roots acquired the Upin and Ipin Company and established its own leather manufacturing capability later in 1973. Roots opened its first store on Toronto's Yonge Street in August 1973 and expanded quickly across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Its early product range broadened from footwear into leather bags, belts, jackets, and casual clothing. By the late 1970s, the brand was supplying major Canadian and American department stores and specialty retailers, while also developing its own men's tailored clothing line under Roots Design. The company subsequently moved away from its original negative-heel footwear and introduced wedge-soled shoes and a wider selection of leather goods. The brand's modern identity was shaped by its association with Canadian outdoor culture, craftsmanship, and relaxed sportswear. In the early 1980s, Roots introduced clothing and outdoor merchandise under the Beaver Canoe name, developed through a canoe-related joint venture. In 1985, it launched Roots Beaver Athletics, generally known as RBA, and began using its now-familiar beaver emblem prominently on clothing. The beaver, Canada's national animal, became a central visual symbol for the company, alongside the distinctive Roots wordmark set in Cooper type. Roots gained significant international visibility through Olympic and national-team outfitting. It supplied Canadian athletes with footwear and apparel at several earlier events and became the official outfitter of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams for the 1998 Winter Games and subsequent periods. Its red backward-worn poorboy cap became particularly recognizable after the Nagano Games and was adopted by celebrities and consumers outside Canada. Roots also supplied uniforms or apparel to teams from the United States, Britain, Barbados, and other sporting organizations, although it later lost major Olympic contracts to competitors. International expansion accelerated in Asia during the 1990s and 2000s, beginning with stores in Japan and later extending to Taiwan and China. Asian operations offered an increasingly broad assortment including apparel, leather goods, children's clothing, and home furnishings. The company also experimented outside its core retail identity through Roots Air, a short-lived discount airline launched in 2001 in cooperation with Skyservice. The service ended after Air Canada acquired a significant interest in the airline's operator. After concentrating more heavily on Canada, Roots continued operating a network of North American stores supported by e-commerce. Its Toronto design centre and leather factory remain important parts of its heritage and product-development identity, although the company also uses manufacturing facilities outside Canada. In 2015, Searchlight Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Roots, while the founders retained minority ownership. Roots later completed an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2017. The company has experienced leadership changes and a strategic retrenchment in the United States. In 2020, Roots announced the closure of stores in Boston, Washington, Chicago, and a New York pop-up location, while its U.S. subsidiary entered Chapter 7 liquidation. U.S. customers continued to be served through online sales, and selected U.S. stores remained open at that time. Meghan Roach became chief executive officer in May 2020. In March 2026, Roots announced that it was reviewing strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, with the stated objective of maximizing shareholder value. International expansion accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s, beginning with stores in Japan and later extending to Taiwan and mainland China. The Asian business offered an increasingly broad product mix including apparel, leather goods, children's clothing, and home products. The company also experimented beyond core retail, including Roots Air, a short-lived discount airline launched in 2001 in partnership with Skyservice. The service ended after Air Canada acquired a substantial equity interest in the airline's operator.
History
Roots Canada was established in Toronto in 1973 by Michael Budman and Don Green. The founders initially focused on negative-heel shoes, which were produced for them by the Kowalewski family's Boa Shoe Company. Roots opened its first retail location on Yonge Street in August 1973 and soon acquired the Upin and Ipin Company, enabling it to establish a leather factory and gain greater control over production. The company expanded rapidly during its first years. By the end of 1973, it had stores in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and several U.S. locations. Increased demand led to major growth in factory output, and by 1975 the operation was producing more than 2,000 pairs of shoes per day, compared with roughly 30 pairs daily when the factory first expanded. Roots began experimenting with casual clothing in 1975 and had approximately 65 retail outlets and 250 employees by 1977. During the late 1970s, Roots transitioned from negative-heel shoes to wedge-soled footwear and expanded its leather assortment to include handbags, belts, leather jackets, and other accessories. It wholesaled products to Canadian retailers such as Eaton's and Holt Renfrew and to American retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. In 1979, it introduced Roots Design, a men's tailored clothing line that began with leather jackets made in Port Credit, Ontario. By 1980, Roots had closed many stores in the United States and Europe and shifted its emphasis toward Canada. It expanded into T-shirts and sweatshirts and developed Beaver Canoe, a brand associated with outdoor clothing and equipment created through a canoe-building venture involving Camp Tamakwa co-founder Omer Stringer. In 1985, Roots launched Roots Beaver Athletics, placing a beaver emblem on athletic clothing. The emblem had been designed in the 1970s by graphic artists Heather Cooper and Robert Burns and depicts a beaver above tree branches. The logo and Cooper-style wordmark became important elements of Roots' visual identity. Roots became closely associated with Canadian sport and national representation. It supplied quilted Puff boots to the Canadian team at the 1976 Winter Olympics and made jackets for Jamaica's bobsled team in 1988. Its association with the Jamaican team was later reinforced through the popular culture surrounding the film Cool Runnings. Roots produced a special collection for the 1994 Canadian Olympic team and designed a jacket for Norwegian skier Stein Eriksen. Beginning with the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Roots played a formal role in outfitting Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The red poorboy cap worn by Canadian athletes became the most commercially visible item from that collection, selling in very large quantities and gaining celebrity visibility. From 2000 through 2004, Roots was the official outfitter for members of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams. It also outfitted the Canadian speed-skating team in 2006 and supplied uniforms or apparel for U.S., British, and Barbadian Olympic teams during the early 2000s. Roots lost the Canadian Olympic contract to Hudson's Bay Company in 2005, and the United States Olympic Committee replaced it with Polo Ralph Lauren for the 2008 Games. International development continued in Asia. Roots opened two Japanese stores in 1993 and expanded elsewhere in Asia during the 1990s and 2000s. Taiwan and China became important markets, with stores selling apparel, leather goods, children's products, and home furnishings. Roots Taiwan launched a dedicated website in 2011. The company also explored non-retail diversification through Roots Air, a discount airline connected to Skyservice. The airline began operations in March 2001 but ceased service in May after Air Canada acquired a substantial economic and voting interest in Skyservice. Roots' corporate ownership changed in 2015, when Searchlight Capital Partners acquired a majority stake while Budman and Green retained minority interests. The company pursued a public listing in 2017. In 2020, it closed a number of U.S. retail locations and placed Roots USA Corp. into Chapter 7 liquidation, continuing to serve U.S. customers through e-commerce and keeping selected stores open. Meghan Roach was appointed chief executive officer in May 2020. Roots continues to identify with Canadian design and leather craftsmanship, with its design centre and leather factory located in Toronto, while its wider manufacturing network is international. In March 2026, the company announced a review of strategic alternatives that could include a sale.
- 2026
Strategic alternatives review
[1]Roots announces that it is evaluating options including a potential sale.
- 2020
U.S. retail restructuring
[1]Roots closes several U.S. locations and begins liquidation proceedings for Roots USA Corp.
- 2017
Roots files for a public offering
[1]The company files for an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- 2015
Searchlight acquires a majority stake
[1]Searchlight Capital Partners acquires majority ownership while the founders retain minority interests.
- 2001
Roots Air begins and ends operations
[1]The brand-associated discount airline starts scheduled service in March and suspends it in May.
- 1998
Roots outfits the Canadian team at Nagano
[1]Roots becomes the formal outfitter for Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes, popularizing its red poorboy cap.
- 1993
Asian expansion begins in Japan
[1]Roots opens its first two Japanese stores and begins a wider period of Asian expansion.
- 1985
Roots Beaver Athletics launches
[1]The athletic line launches with the beaver logo, which later becomes a defining brand symbol.
- 1983
Beaver Canoe expands the product range
[1]Clothing and outdoor products begin to appear under the Beaver Canoe name.
- 1979
Roots Design is introduced
[1]The company launches its first men's tailored clothing line, beginning with leather jackets.
Products and positioning
A Canadian heritage lifestyle brand positioned around casual comfort, outdoor culture, athletic influence, leather craftsmanship, and national identity.
Leather accessories · 1973
Roots Leather Goods
Leather goods are among Roots' foundational categories and include handbags, backpacks, belts, wallets, small leather accessories, and other products associated with the company's Toronto leather-making heritage. The category helped Roots move beyond its original footwear business and supported wholesale distribution to major Canadian and American retailers.
Casual apparel · 1975
Roots Apparel
Roots' apparel range includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, fleece, jackets, knitwear, casual trousers, and other relaxed clothing. The assortment developed during the company's expansion beyond footwear in the mid-1970s and is closely associated with Canadian outdoor and leisure culture.
Athletic wear · 1985
Roots Beaver Athletics
Roots Beaver Athletics, commonly referred to as RBA, was introduced in 1985 as the company's athletic-oriented line. It established the beaver emblem as a prominent clothing mark and helped connect Roots with sportswear, collegiate-style casual dressing, and later Olympic teamwear.
Footwear · 1973
Roots Footwear
Footwear was Roots' original business, beginning with negative-heel shoes in 1973. The company later shifted toward wedge-soled shoes and expanded into leather boots, casual shoes, sandals, and other lifestyle footwear. Footwear remains linked to the brand's early manufacturing and Canadian craft narrative.
Outdoor lifestyle · 1983
Beaver Canoe
Beaver Canoe was developed as an outdoor-oriented brand associated with a canoe-building venture and later applied to clothing and outdoor merchandise. It extended Roots' positioning from urban casualwear into recreation and Canadian wilderness culture.
Home furnishings
Roots Home
Home furnishings became part of the broader Roots assortment as the brand expanded in Asian markets. The category extends Roots' casual, comfort-focused aesthetic beyond clothing and accessories into household products.
Sports teamwear · 1976
Roots Olympic and Teamwear
Roots has produced ceremonial and lifestyle apparel for Olympic, Paralympic, and national teams. The collections combine athletic garments with highly visible national-design cues, including the red poorboy cap associated with the 1998 Canadian Olympic team.
Marketing campaigns
- 2002International Olympic Teamwear
United States · United Kingdom · Canada
Roots supplied apparel for the United States and British Olympic teams during the early 2000s, in addition to its Canadian team relationships.
Outcome. Expanded the brand's sportswear credentials beyond Canada.
- 2000Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teamwear
Canada
Roots continued as the official outfitter for members of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams through the early 2000s.
Outcome. Extended the company's association with Canadian sport and national identity.
- 1998Nagano Canadian Olympic Team Collection
Canada · United States · International
Roots outfitted Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes for the Nagano Winter Games. The collection generated broad public attention, particularly for its red poorboy cap worn backward by athletes and later adopted by celebrities and consumers.
Outcome. Strengthened Roots' international visibility and made teamwear a major part of its brand image.
Brand decisions
2026
Review of strategic alternativesM&ABackground
Roots announced a review intended to evaluate ways of maximizing shareholder value.
Action taken
The company began considering alternatives including a potential sale.
2020
U.S. retail withdrawal and e-commerce focusStrategyBackground
Roots faced a difficult U.S. retail environment and announced a restructuring of its American operations.
Action taken
The company closed stores in Boston, Washington, Chicago, and a New York pop-up location, placed Roots USA Corp. into Chapter 7 liquidation, and continued U.S. sales through e-commerce.
Aftermath
Roots reduced its U.S. physical-store footprint while maintaining access to American customers online.
2017
Initial public offering filingOtherBackground
Roots sought access to public equity markets after the Searchlight transaction.
Action taken
The company filed for an initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
Roots became a publicly traded Canadian apparel company.
2015
Majority sale to Searchlight Capital PartnersM&ABackground
After decades under founder influence, Roots changed ownership structure.
Action taken
Searchlight Capital Partners acquired a majority stake, with the founders retaining minority interests.
Aftermath
Roots subsequently pursued a public listing and continued operating under a private-equity-backed ownership structure.
1980
Refocus on the Canadian marketStrategyBackground
After closing many stores in the United States and Europe, Roots adjusted its geographic strategy.
Action taken
The company concentrated expansion and product manufacturing more heavily in Canada while developing apparel and outdoor categories.
Aftermath
The shift reinforced Roots' Canadian identity and supported its later heritage-brand positioning.
Recent events
Marquee Brands completes Roots go-private transaction[2]
Reported:
Roots Corp. said its go-private transaction with Marquee Brands had closed.
Roots repurposes Toronto factory to make masks[3]
Reported:
Roots repurposed its Toronto factory to produce non-medical, washable, reusable face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roots CEO Jim Gabel leaves the company[4]
Reported:
Roots Canada said CEO Jim Gabel left the company effective immediately; the company did not state why he left.
Roots appoints Meghan Roach interim CEO[5]
Reported:
Roots announced that its board appointed Meghan Roach as interim chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Roots cuts full-year sales forecast[6]
Reported:
Roots cut its full-year sales forecast as the retailer continued to face weak sales and operational inefficiencies at its new distribution centre.
Sources8 sources
- 1Roots Canadaen.wikipedia.org
- 2Marquee Brands完成Roots私有化交易bnnbloomberg.ca
- 3Roots改造多伦多工厂生产口罩dailyhive.com
- 4Roots首席执行官Jim Gabel离职ctvnews.ca
- 5Roots任命Meghan Roach为临时首席执行官newswire.ca
- 6Roots 下调全年销售预测finance.yahoo.com
- 7Roots CEO Jim Gabel leaves retailer, Meghan Roach appointed as interim CEOtoronto.citynews.ca
- 8Roots Donates $500,000 in Products to Frontline Healthcare Workersnewca.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/roots-canada · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled