Broomfield, CO-based Xero Shoes has secured five new international distribution partners, effectively doubling its global distribution network.
The partnerships will bring the minimal footwear brand to the United Kingdom through Unify Brand Partnerships, Canada via Rock Gear Distribution, Hong Kong and Taiwan with Step Hill International, Eastern Europe via Brands House in Moldova, and South Korea through the fashion platform MUSINSA.
Chris Melton, global head of B2B at Xero Shoes, said the brand is leveraging local expertise through the partnerships.
“We are not adapting to the natural movement trend, we were built for it,” said Melton. “These partnerships give us the infrastructure to grow without losing what makes our brand work — specialty relationships, authentic storytelling, real expertise in their categories.”
Xero Shoes said the expansion push comes amid growing global demand for zero-drop designs and wider toe boxes.
Highlighting trends in the South Korean market, Sunhee Lee at MUSINSA, said, “Consumer demand has shifted toward versatile, fashionable, comfort-driven footwear and Xero Shoes’ collections align with their interest in active lifestyle.”
Ian Lowe-Wylde, president at Rock Gear Distribution, the former primary distributor for Vibram FiveFingers in Canada, said of Xero Shoes’ positioning, “The brand sits at the intersection of performance, comfort, and natural movement and fits perfectly into the Rock Gear family of purpose-driven brands.”
Chris Chan, director at Step Hill International, which will handle Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “Xero Shoes brings innovation, versatility, and an authentic voice that goes beyond the trend, and we see the long-term potential throughout Taiwan and Hong Kong,” he said.
Melton added, “We’re choosing partners who think about brands the same way we do — specialty first, long-term relationships, and a genuine belief in what natural footwear can do for people.”
Image courtesy Xero Shoes
