TOP 5 FOOTWEAR RETAILER IN CEE

The beginnings of Ponds Group date back to 1990, when Sašo Apostolovski founded MASS and opened its first footwear store in the center of Ljubljana. Over the following years, the company gradually expanded its retail network across Slovenia and, through a strong sense of fashion trends, an understanding of customer needs, and a focus on quality, grew into one of the largest footwear and fashion accessories retailers in the Adriatic region. Two decades after its establishment, Ponds Group successfully entered the Croatian market, opening stores under its own MASS brand and the Skechers franchise. In 2024, Ponds Group also entered the Austrian market, opening 14 stores under the MASS brand and the Skechers franchise. Alongside the expansion of its retail network, the company invested heavily in the development of its online stores and omnichannel retail model.

The entry of the Advance Capital Partners SIS fund into Ponds Group’s ownership in 2025 marked the beginning of a new strategic phase focused on accelerated international expansion and consolidation of the footwear retail sector in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In line with this strategy, Advance Capital Partners and Ponds Group successfully completed the acquisition of Austrian footwear retailer Leder & Schuh in early 2026. With roots dating back to 1872, Leder & Schuh is one of Europe’s oldest footwear companies. Following the acquisition, the company retains its headquarters in Graz and continues to develop its two established retail brands, HUMANIC and SHOE4YOU.

The integration of Leder & Schuh into Ponds Group created one of the top five largest footwear and fashion accessories retailers in CEE. Through its MASS, HUMANIC and SHOE4YOU brands and Skechers franchise stores, the group now operates in nine European countries, with a network of approximately 290 stores and more than 2,300 employees. The combined group generates more than EUR 420 million in annual revenue, bringing together decades of experience, well-established brands, and an extensive retail network. MASS and Leder & Schuh continue to operate independently under the umbrella of the parent company Ponds, while the group leverages opportunities for cooperation in procurement, digitalization, e-commerce, and further business expansion.

Ponds Group aims to become the leading omnichannel footwear and fashion accessories retailer in CEE through the continued development of its existing brands, modernization of its retail network, and expansion of online sales. By 2030, the group plans to open an additional 60 MASS, HUMANIC, SHOE4YOU, and Skechers stores across existing and new markets, focusing on organic growth and enhancing the customer shopping experience. The group’s plan is to surpass EUR 550 million in annual revenue by 2030, while significantly improving its operating profitability.