Converse (brand)
World headquarters building on Boston's Lovejoy Wharf | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry |
|
| Founded | February 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts, U.S.[1] |
| Founder | Marquis Mills Converse |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Number of locations | 136 (2023)[2] |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Aaron Cain (president and CEO) |
| Products | |
| Brands |
|
| Revenue | US$2.4 billion (2023)[2] |
| Parent |
|
| Website | converse |
Converse (/ˈkɒnvərs/) is an American lifestyle brand that markets, distributes, and licenses footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded by Marquis Mills Converse in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, Massachusetts, it has been acquired by several companies before becoming a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. in 2003.[3]
Converse initially produced winterized rubber-soled shoes and boots. During World War II, it shifted manufacturing to make footwear for the military.[4] Initially, it was one of the few producers of athletic shoes and dominated the U.S. market, but lost its position in the 1970s as competitors introduced their styles.
Converse's portfolio includes products under the Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Cons, Jack Purcell, One Star, and Star Chevron trademarks. It frequently collaborates on special-edition product releases with other brands such as John Varvatos. The growth of Converse as a casual fashion accessory contributed to $2.4 billion in revenue in 2023.[2]
- ^ "Converse turns 100". Chucksconnection.com. May 29, 2008. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Nike 2023 Form 10K" (PDF). Nike, Inc. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
nike03was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ailworth, Erin (March 2, 2008). "Pros and Cons". Boston.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.