Term Footwear has joined The Parently Group family, enabling retailers to buy high-quality school shoes and David Luke School Uniform in one transaction. CWB learns more about the acquisition and development of The Parently Group’s product portfolio.
The Parently Group, which encompasses David Luke School Uniform, Juco and Grass & Air, has now expanded to include Term Footwear, a development that will provide the company’s customers with a convenient means to branch out into children’s school shoes.
Known for its progressive approach and industry leading initiatives over the years, from school blazers made using eco-fabric produced from 100% recycled plastic bottles to the vision of making its school uniform 100% recyclable, The Parently Group’s strategic move to broaden its product offering is a response to market changes.
Commenting is Kathryn Shuttleworth, CEO of The Parently Group.
“The school uniform market is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting ownership models and ongoing legislative changes. In this dynamic landscape, diversification has never been more important for both wholesalers and retailers. Expanding into school shoes not only strengthens our business resilience but also provides new opportunities to meet the changing needs of customers.
“Recent years have seen accelerated consolidation within the schoolwear sector, with both vertical integration – such as direct-to-factory and direct-to-school models – and horizontal consolidation, reducing the number of independent specialist retailers across the UK. While these shifts present challenges, we have remained focused on financial stability, ensuring funds are reinvested into the business. This puts us in a strong position to expand our product range and enhance operations from our newly developed three-acre site.
“As a wholesale distributor with an extensive retail network, partnerships are at the heart of what we do. Since David and Adrian founded the business, our focus has been on offering products that help retailers stand out and keep customers coming back. With the addition of Term Footwear to our family of brands, we’re excited to bring our retailers high-quality school shoes that align with our shared commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.”
Founded in 2016 by Sharon and Lincoln New, Term Footwear is a trusted brand known for its durable, comfortable and stylish footwear designed with British children and the British weather in mind.
Term Shoes is a brand dedicated to the development and well-being of young and growing feet, and unlike mass-produced, low-quality footwear found in supermarkets, Term prioritises foot health by integrating thoughtful design and premium materials into every pair.
Term Footwear’s commitment to quality starts with material selection. The brand sources matte leathers from New Zealand and South Africa, ensuring they are a byproduct of sustainable cattle farming. For a premium, long-lasting finish, Italian patent leathers are used for their superior craftsmanship and resistance to delamination. The shoes are then expertly crafted in an ETI member factory in India, which is regularly audited by SEDEX for ethical standards.
Understanding the evolving needs of children’s feet, Term designs its shoes with EVA memory foam insoles and neoprene sock linings for extra comfort. The brand also makes fitting easier with adjustable fastening options, including single and double touch tape straps and lace-ups, catering to children from primary school to teenagers.
“With a variety of unisex, boys’ and girls’ styles, the range ensures every child finds a perfect fit,” says Ryan Cooke, Head of Product at The Parently Group. “Term also considers the practicality for parents, offering shoes with growing room and quick-fitting features that simplify the process of buying and wearing school shoes.
“Term shoes are also crafted with durability in mind. Double-dyed leather prevents scuffs from revealing white streaks, unlike cheaper alternatives, making maintenance easy. The robust construction and secure sole attachment allow them to withstand rough play, while flex lines in the soles provide flexibility without compromising structure. Innovative features like elasticated buckle attachments reduce fastening failures – an issue identified through direct customer feedback. This customer-centric approach has led to a remarkably low return rate of around one per cent, reflecting both high satisfaction and product reliability.”
If David Luke’s customers have ever thought about adding school shoes to their retail selection, this new proposition offers the ideal opportunity.
With a straightforward integration alongside existing David Luke orders, introducing school shoes has never been easier. Plus, customers will have access to a range of support tools, including detailed product knowledge, point-of-sale materials, and reliable stock availability. Term offers practical advantages too, including a flexible range of widths by style, allowing for optimised stock management. The easy-to-understand sizing and the added convenience for parents – who always appreciate a one-stop shopping experience – make this a natural and valuable extension to a schoolwear retailer’s offering.
“With a focus on comfort, durability and responsible production, Term Shoes stands out as a brand that truly understands the needs of growing feet,” adds Shuttleworth. “Manufacturing products that have more put into them, to deliver great performance and low returns for stockists, means David Luke and Term Footwear are focused on the same values as their first priority. There are so many synergies between the values the companies share in terms of culture too, and this means it will be an easy transition for customers of each brand to crossover to the other.”
To assist with the transition, Term Footwear’s founders will continue to work with The Parently Group, sharing their specialist knowledge and expertise with the team.
“As founders, they have poured so much care and attention into the development of Term and it’s been invaluable for our Business Development Team to accompany them out on the road to absorb their passion for the brand,” concludes Shuttleworth.
“We were proud to partner with Term at the INDX National Kids Footwear Show recently, and it was fascinating to see how the brand complemented Grass & Air in terms of shared customer interest, presenting opportunities for both brands to leverage stockists. We are also looking forward to presenting Term Footwear at The Schoolwear Show in the autumn.”
Until October’s edition of The Schoolwear Show, retailers can view Term Footwear’s collection through the David Luke or Grass & Air trade websites. The Parently Group’s Business Development Team is also on the ground working closely with retailers, sharing insights and making sure they have the right tools and support to introduce school shoes seamlessly into their offering. To visit The Parently Group website, please click here.