BIRKENSTOCK, world’s leading footwear maker has expanded its formidable retail footprint in Europe. The new store has come up at the heart of Zurich in Switzerland, the first in the country.
The 840 sq ft store has come up at Storchengasse, a charming cobblestone street in the historic Old town.
While the store façade and the first part of the store represent the diverse Swiss outdoors and its breathtaking nature, the back of the store us more intimate, symbolising a smooth transition.
The materials coming to life in the store’s interieur pay homage to the alpine country: end grain wood tiles, pinewood displays incorporating a massive untreated rock, and darkened wooden logs inspired by traditional Swiss vernacular building methods.
The store features a selection of BIRKENSTOCK’s signature styles including iconic sandals, clogs and closed shoes, along with timeless collections and seasonal releases.
It also offers the Professionals collection, BIRKENSTOCK’s own shoe care products, accessories, and the Care Essentials range.
BIRKENSTOCK recently opened its concept store at Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan as part of the brand’s continued retail expansion.
Spanning two floors, this flagship location, one of the largest . street-level stores in the country offers a full lineup that embodies the brand’s aesthetic.
The interior is defined by a refined minimalism that brings BIRKENSTOCK’s craftsmanship and materiality to the fore.
The first floor features a dedicated Care Essentials area, where customers can experience the foot and body care products firsthand.
On the second floor, a wide range of styles — from iconic models to the latest designs, including sandals, clogs, shoes, and boots — allows customers to take their time in finding the perfect pair.
A predominantly white colour palette is complemented by traditionally crafted earthen walls, while signature elements such as cork and the brand’s distinct bone pattern are carefully integrated throughout the space.
Editor’s Note
Oliver Reichert, Chief Executive Officer, BIRKENSTOCK noted that global growth is currently constrained only by production capacity.
“The retail strategy remains “slow and steady” to maintain brand prestige and avoid the markdowns often seen in larger footwear conglomerates”, he said.
The company has been on an expansion spree, moving its strategy from wholesale to direct-to-consumer. BIRKENSTOCK report EUR 2.1 Bn in revenues for 2025 and operates 97 stores as of FY 2025 reports.
From 40 stores in 2021, mostly in legacy Europe markets, the company has been adding a new store almost every month till date. The company aims to reach 150 stores by 2027.
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