Two Canadian footwear brands are joining forces.
This week, Pajar Canada revealed it has acquired Cougar. While terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Pajar called the deal a “significant milestone” in the evolution of both brands with the promise of enhanced product offerings.
As for whether the Cougar team will remain in place, it doesn’t seem likely. “At this time Pajar will be assuming responsibility for all Cougar operations, while Canadian sales have been delegated to the capable team at Trend Marketing,” a Pajar representative told FN.
Based in Montreal, Pajar Canada is a fifth-generation family shoe business founded in 1963. According to the company, its acquisition of Cougar “aligns with its vision” to expand its footprint in both the Canadian and U.S. markets and leverage its international outreach across Europe and Asia.
The Sedlbauer family started the Burlington, Ontario-based Cougar as a boot manufacturer in 1948 and in the 1970s expanded with other footwear products, including its now-iconic leather Pillow Boot.
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By coming together, Cougar shoes will be able leverage the company’s “combined expertise to create unique products that resonate with both longstanding customers and new generations of consumers alike,” Pajar said in a release on Thursday.
“This acquisition represents a significant step forward for Pajar and Cougar,” Michel Golbert, president of Pajar Canada, said in a statement. “By bringing together our two brands, we are not only preserving our heritage but also enhancing our ability to innovate and respond to the evolving needs of our customers. We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition presents and look forward to continuing our legacy of quality and craftsmanship.”
This acquisition comes at a time of change for Pajar. In 2021, the company opened its first standalone store in the U.S. in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. At the time of the opening, chief executive officer Jacques Golbert told FN that SoHo “is the place where we feel our brand is going to be best shown throughout the world.”
According to the company, the SoHo store is now closed but Pajar continues to operate a standalone store in Mirabel, Quebec. “[We] are always looking for our next retail opportunity,” the rep said.
