What Birkenstock Group does

Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG is a German-headquartered footwear and lifestyle company tracing its shoemaking tradition to 1774, listed on the NYSE under ticker BIRK. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes anatomically contoured cork-latex footbed footwear — including iconic sandals (Arizona, Madrid, Gizeh), clogs (Boston, Amsterdam, Zurich), and newer closed-toe silhouettes (HIGHWOOD, LOMA, SOLANA) — built around a footbed patented around 1900 and a four-layer DEEP BLUE FOOTBED technology. Manufacturing is vertically integrated: over 95% of products are assembled in Germany across multiple production sites (with supplemental component manufacturing in Portugal) and over 90% of materials and components are sourced from Europe, supporting daily output of 360,000 buckles and 1.8 million clips and processing of approximately 2,000 tons of cork annually. The company employs approximately 6,200 people worldwide and holds a portfolio of 700+ silhouettes in its archive.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market combining wholesale distribution through global retail partners and shop-in-shop concepts with a rapidly expanding direct-to-consumer footprint of 30+ company-owned full-price stores across Europe, the Americas, and APAC (including 15+ stores in the US, 11 in Japan, and recent openings in Zurich, Bologna, Bordeaux, Melbourne, and Osaka). Revenue streams span footwear (entry-level to luxury price points), the premium BIRKENSTOCK 1774 collaboration platform, and the newer CARE ESSENTIALS natural cosmetics line (vegan 23-free nail polish launched April 2026), plus retail repair services that completed 5,000+ repairs annually at the Melbourne flagship with 45% program growth between 2019-2025. FY2025 revenue exceeded €2.09 billion, with the Americas segment contributing 51% of revenue, and the company has guided to 13-15% constant-currency annual revenue growth while maintaining adjusted EBITDA margins of 31.3%-31.8%. Recent capital actions include a €900 million Senior Notes offering (June 2026) to refinance 2029 notes and a $250 million accelerated share repurchase (May 2026), while S&P revised outlook to negative citing leverage from buybacks and projected EBITDA margin pressure from US tariffs, FX, and channel mix in FY2026.

Name

Birkenstock Group

Legal name

Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG

Website

https://birkenstock-group.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1774

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Birkenstock Group is a German heritage footwear company (founded 1774, NYSE: BIRK) that designs, manufactures, and globally distributes anatomically contoured cork-latex footbed sandals, clogs, and closed-toe shoes — serving mass and premium consumers across entry-level to luxury price points through DTC retail, wholesale partners, and e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Footwear

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Shoe Retailers (45821), Footwear Merchant Wholesalers (424340)

SIC

Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Casual & Lifestyle Footwear (CRAAACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury & Designer Footwear (CRAAACAI), Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail (CRAAADAG), Shoe & Leather Care (Polishes, Protectants, Cleaners) (CRADAKAL), Foot Care (Deodorizing, Anti-chafe, Callus Care) (CRADANAK)

Keywords

• Anatomical cork footbed
• Comfort sandals clogs
• German footwear manufacturing
• Orthopedic lifestyle footwear
• Closed-toe moccasin shoes

Headquarters

HQ city

Neustadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices31 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Footwear Sales: Primary revenue stream from sandals, clogs, and closed-toe shoes. Products range from entry-level to luxury price points, including iconic silhouettes like Arizona, Boston, Madrid, and newer lines like HIGHWOOD. 95%+ of products assembled in Germany.
2. CARE ESSENTIALS - Natural Cosmetics: Expansion into cosmetics segment with nail polish collection (launched April 2026), foot and body care products. The vegan, plant-based nail polish features 23-free formulas with natural ingredients like sugar beets and cane.
3. Retail Repair Services: Shoe repair and restoration services offered in retail stores. Melbourne flagship features the world's largest repair workshop (81+ sqm), completing over 5,000 repairs annually with 45% program growth between 2019-2025.
4. Wholesale Distribution: Global distribution through qualified retail partners, shop-in-shop concepts, and regional distributors.
5. Sleep Systems: Products in sleep systems segment as part of category expansion beyond core footwear.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Birkenstock designs, manufactures, and sells anatomically shaped cork-latex footbed footwear including iconic sandals (Arizona, Madrid, Gizeh, Florida), clogs (Boston, Zurich, Amsterdam), and closed-toe shoes (HIGHWOOD MOC LACE LOW, LOMA, SOLANA, Naples). Products are sold via company-owned retail stores, e-commerce platforms, and global wholesale distribution partners, with 95%+ of products assembled in Germany. The portfolio extends to the premium 1774 sub-brand for exclusive designer collaborations and the CARE ESSENTIALS line of natural foot and body care products, supplemented by in-store repair services.

Product overview

BIRKENSTOCK Group offers a diversified footwear and lifestyle product portfolio centered around its proprietary anatomically contoured cork-latex footbed technology invented over 250 years ago. The core offering includes iconic sandals (Arizona, Madrid, Florida, Gizeh) and clogs (Boston, Zurich, Amsterdam, London), supplemented by closed-toe shoes (HIGHWOOD MOC LACE LOW, LOMA, SOLANA) featuring the DEEP BLUE FOOTBED technology. The portfolio extends to the premium BIRKENSTOCK 1774 sub-brand featuring exclusive collaborations and limited editions, and the CARE ESSENTIALS line of vegan foot and body care products including nail polish. Products are manufactured with vertical integration in Germany and Portugal, with over 95% assembly in Germany and 90% materials sourced from Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIRKENSTOCK 1774: Premium/luxury line featuring exclusive collaborations and high-end designs. Platform for all BIRKENSTOCK collaborations and exclusive collections.
• CARE ESSENTIALS

Products and services

• Arizona Sandal Iconic two-strap BIRKENSTOCK sandal featuring the anatomically contoured cork-latex footbed. Available in numerous materials, colors, and special editions including bridal and seasonal collections, targeting consumers seeking iconic comfort footwear.
• Madrid Sandal First BIRKENSTOCK sandal introduced in 1963 featuring slender straps, minimalist lines, and the signature cork-latex footbed. A timeless silhouette available in classic and special edition variants.
• Boston Clog Iconic closed-toe BIRKENSTOCK clog introduced in 1976, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Features the signature cork-latex footbed and is available in numerous iterations including the Boston Braided and Northeast Providence special editions.
• Gizeh Sandal Iconic thong sandal with contoured footbed. Featured in the Northeast Providence collection with raffia-framed executions, targeting consumers seeking classic thong-style comfort footwear.
• HIGHWOOD MOC LACE LOW Contemporary closed moccasin-style shoe featuring DEEP BLUE FOOTBED four-layer construction for foot support. Made from suede or grained leather with visible moccasin-inspired stitching, targeting consumers seeking closed-toe comfort footwear.
• LOMA Contemporary closed-toe clog with hook-and-loop closures, refined from the Boston legacy. Features clean lines, minimal aesthetic, premium suede construction, and EVA outsole, with signature BIRKENSTOCK footbed.
• SOLANA Refined classic slide-in silhouette with soft suede construction, utility-inspired design, understated sophistication, and hook-and-loop closure, with signature BIRKENSTOCK footbed.
• BIRKENSTOCK 1774 Premium Line Premium/luxury sub-brand and creative platform featuring exclusive collaborations, limited editions, and high-end interpretations of classic BIRKENSTOCK silhouettes. Includes partnerships with designers like Thibo Denis, Kith, and Danielle Frankel. Available at 1774.com.
• BIRKENSTOCK CARE ESSENTIALS Foot and body care product line under the CARE ESSENTIALS sub-brand. Includes a nail polish collection with 5 vegan, 23-free shades, top/base coat, nail polish remover, and body care products made with 100% naturally derived ingredients.
• BIRKENSTOCK Retail Repair Services In-store shoe repair and restoration services offered at flagship retail locations. Melbourne flagship features the world's largest BIRKENSTOCK repair workshop (81+ sqm), completing over 5,000 repairs annually with 45% program growth between 2019-2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95%+ of products assembled in Germany
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor, major and core.

• KithflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Ongoing strategic partnership for exclusive footwear collaborations. Summer 2026 collection reimagines Amsterdam clog and Zurich slip-on in premium suede with debossed branding. Available at Kith stores (New York, London, Paris, Tokyo timezones) and 1774.com exclusive platform. Includes custom hand-braided Boston Braided collaboration launched August 2025.
• Danielle FrankelflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Bridal collaboration launching February 2026 featuring six footwear styles reinterpreted with bridal couture aesthetics. Includes four BIRKENSTOCK classics (Madrid, Arizona, Tulum) and two exclusive custom handcrafted designs (hand-painted Boston clog, hand-embroidered Arizona sandal). Available at 1774.com and select retailers worldwide.
• ScapinominorOthersDutch retailer against whom Utrecht court issued injunction to stop sale of unauthorized copies of BIRKENSTOCK sandal models. Reinforces BIRKENSTOCK's strategy to secure copyright protection across Europe ahead of ECJ ruling.
• Crocs Inc.minorOthersCompetitive comparison: Clogs market projected to grow to $15.06 billion by 2030 at 11.6% CAGR. Crocs partnered with designer Salehe Bembury in April 2023 and launched Keep It Going Classic Clog in September 2024 with 25% post-consumer recycled materials.
• Australian DistributormajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcquisition of Australian distributor in October 2024. Led to establishment of Melbourne flagship at Malt Store combining retail, repair, and Australian office.
• Evelyn ChuacoreOthersManaging Director appointed for South-East Asia and Australia (first time this role created) to accelerate growth and deepen footprint in white space region.
• Thibo DenisflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis-based footwear designer appointed as inaugural guest for ENSEMBLE 1774 creative platform, inviting visionary designers to collaborate with BIRKENSTOCK's creative studio.

Scale indicators23 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• On Holding AG: On is a premium athletic/lifestyle footwear brand with strong DTC and global expansion, overlapping with Birkenstock's premium positioning and design-led collaborations. Comparable brand-led global retail rollout.
• HOKA (Deckers brand): HOKA is a fast-growing premium athletic and lifestyle footwear brand within Deckers, competing for the same comfort-seeking consumer Birkenstock targets, with overlapping DTC, premium pricing, and global retail expansion.

Direct peers

• Deckers Outdoor Corporation: Deckers owns HOKA, UGG, Teva, and Sanuk - overlapping with Birkenstock in comfort/lifestyle footwear, sandal (Teva), and premium positioning (UGG). Comparable DTC and wholesale strategies targeting similar consumers seeking comfort-led footwear.
• Allbirds: Allbirds is a DTC-first sustainable casual footwear brand with comparable comfort positioning, natural materials ethos, and direct-to-consumer go-to-market. Targets overlapping lifestyle-conscious consumers seeking comfortable everyday footwear.
• Crocs Inc. Crocs is the most direct comparable: both companies compete in the casual clog/casual comfort footwear category with iconic silhouettes, vertical brand control, and DTC expansion. Crocs' Keep It Going Classic Clog and Birkenstock's Boston directly substitute for similar consumer occasions.
• Skechers USA: Skechers is a global comfort footwear competitor with overlapping arch-support and casual categories. Comparable mass-to-premium positioning and wholesale plus DTC distribution model with global retail footprint.

Broad incumbents

• adidas AG: adidas is a global footwear giant with broad sport and lifestyle lines including sandals; competes in casual/comfort footwear and shares similar wholesale plus DTC hybrid model, though at significantly larger scale.
• Salvatore Ferragamo: Ferragamo is a heritage Italian luxury footwear and leather goods house; comparable through its luxury positioning adjacent to Birkenstock's 1774 premium collaborations and shared European footwear craftsmanship heritage.
• Steve Madden: Steve Madden is a fashion-forward footwear brand with wholesale-driven distribution and growing DTC; overlaps with Birkenstock in lifestyle and fashion collaborations, though positioned more trend-driven than heritage comfort.
• Wolverine World Wide: Wolverine owns Merrell, Chaco, Saucony, and other comfort/outdoor footwear brands, competing with Birkenstock across casual comfort, sandals (Chaco), and outdoor lifestyle footwear at multiple price points.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/birkenstock
• YouTubeyoutube.com/birkenstocktv
• Facebookfacebook.com/birkenstockDE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/birkenstock-deutschland
• Instagraminstagram.com/birkenstock
• Pinterestpinterest.de/birkenstock_de

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Birkenstock Group