American footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide has taken on Chapters Brand Group as its exclusive UK distribution partner for Cat Footwear.
Having already established a wholesale network including Urban Outfitters, Tower and 40 independent stores for Cat Footwear through its UK office, Wolverine Worldwide has taken what could be seen as an unusual step in outsourcing distribution to Chapters to grow the brand’s presence in the UK further.
Chapters Brand Group was only founded in June 2023. However, the company’s origins can be traced back to 2007 when father and son team Malcolm and Antony Nathan founded the footwear distribution company, 33 Joints.
Going back to the 1990s, Malcom Nathan was a former International Sales Director for Cat Footwear, which could have played a significant part in securing this new deal.
Growing considerably in only 18 months, Chapters has already cemented UK distribution deals for brands including Rockport and Norda – the latter already having some UK distribution, though Rockport is a UK market relaunch in 2025.
Chapters offers strategic planning, design, sourcing, marketing, distribution, and bespoke product creation, “making it a unique partner for brands seeking to thrive in competitive markets”.
Cat Footwear is a key part of Wolverine’s extensive portfolio, which also includes Hush Puppies, Merrell, Saucony, Keds, Stride Rite, Sperry and licensed footwear for Harley-Davidson.
Antony Nathan, Brand Director at Chapters, said: “I am personally delighted to be working with the Cat brand as they are one of the best and most well known brands in the world.
“It is uniquely special to me as my father was International Sales Director back in the 90s heyday.”
