Casas celebrates a century of history with the forecast of invoicing 38 million this year

The 1920s were nearing their halfway point when Joan Casas launched his first business focused on shoes. Encouraged by his uncle, he partnered with a manufacturer in Barcelona to sell sports footwear. However, the project did not come to fruition, and the factory dissolved shortly after. But some know how to put into practice that saying that assures that, when one door closes, a window opens. From this failed project, Casas kept 50 pairs of shoes. These were the origin of a family business that now celebrates 100 years and expects to close 2023 with 38 million euros in turnover, three million more than in the previous year.

From these 50 shoes and together with his visionary wife, Camila, Casas soon after opened his first shoe store in Terrassa, where years earlier he had been welcomed by his uncle. The company added two more openings in the city before the outbreak of the Civil War forced the closure of two of them, then under the name Calzados Egara. The establishment that remained open gained its space in the commercial fabric of Terrassa during the post-war period, partly due to creative customer loyalty and acquisition initiatives, such as a radio space where songs were dedicated to those who bought at the shoe store.

Decades and generational relays have passed since those 50 pairs of shoes and those radio promotions. Casas landed in the Catalan capital after the reins of the company passed in 1950 into the hands of Joan and Camila's children, Josep and Francesc. It was in 1963 and on the Rambla de Canaletes where the chain's first establishment in Barcelona opened.

Casas has stores in Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid, and the Basque Country, and its online platform sells throughout Spain and the rest of the EU

From 50 shoes to almost 50 stores

The expansion continued to the 48 stores that the still family business has, now managed by its third generation. The almost 50 Casas stores are presented to their customers under the diversified brands of Casas, U-Casas and Casas Outlet. They do so physically from Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid and the Basque Country, while also selling online throughout Spain and in the EU, especially in France and Portugal.

So far, their history. And from now on, the future: Casas has developed a strategic plan for the next two years, which aims to strengthen its consolidation in the Spanish market, and also to go a step further: it plans to start exploring opportunities for implementation in the rest of Europe, especially in online format. The retail brand faces this future maintaining its family business spirit and having become a prominent company in the sector, now under the leadership of Jordi and Oriol Casas, first cousins who co-direct the company.

To commemorate its centenary, the chain has launched the campaign The Shoe Town. Created by illustrator and animator Miguel Ángel Camprubí, the initiative presents stories of diversity and creativity in which footwear plays a leading role. With this campaign, Casas wants to turn shoes into a transformative force that is part of a lifestyle where freedom of expression reigns. A reflection of the spirit with which Casas has built its history and looks to the future, marked by innovation and the pursuit of quality.

This anniversary represents, according to Jordi Casas, an opportunity to "pause" and reflect deeply on what the company does and represents, as well as its contribution to society. "For 100 years, our shop windows have seen the history of our country pass by, the customs, the tragedies and the events of our society, which has seen the most important and rapid changes in the history of humanity," reflects Casas. The company's leader is most proud that Casas is part of its customers' lives: "We have been at baptisms, weddings, shows and events. We have seen the entire lives of four generations."