Shoe Carnival Just Bought 28 Stores, Many in Illinois & Wisconsin

There's a lot of wheeling and dealing in the retail world already in 2024 and that now includes shoes. Shoe Carnival reportedly just purchased a chain of 28 stores which includes many in Wisconsin and Illinois.

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The Journal Times is one of the outlets I saw reporting that Shoe Carnival decided to expand their own brand by acquiring one that is based in Wisconsin, but also has stores in Illinois, too. Footwear News also confirms that long-standing Wisconsin shoe company Rogan's Shoes was now part of the Shoe Carnival family.

Footwear News reports that Shoe Carnival paid big bucks for Rogan's Shoes - a jaw-dropping $45 million dollars. That would buy a lot of sneakers.

My understanding is the Rogan's Shoes really began as an old-school mom and pop shoe company based in Racine, Wisconsin.

I have to confess that I've never been in a Shoe Carnival, but I am generally a fan of carnivals, so maybe I should pay them a visit. It will be interesting to see what changes this will mean for many that have known Rogan's Shoes in Illinois and Wisconsin for decades.