Bombas, the popular direct-to-consumer sock brand, is also adding two new retail partnerships.
NEW YORK — Direct-to-consumer sock brand Bombas is venturing into brick-and-mortar retail for the first time, opening three company-owned stores this fall and expanding its wholesale presence to include Target and DSW.
The New York-based company, known for its comfortable socks and “buy one, donate one” social mission, opened its first retail location Friday in New York City’s West Village. A second store is scheduled to open Oct. 24 in Boca Raton, Florida, followed by a third location in Austin, Texas, in mid-November.
Until now, more than 90% of the company’s revenue has come through its website, with less than 10% generated by existing wholesale partners including Nordstrom, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Scheels.
The move into physical retail reflects broader market trends. According to Bombas’ research, 65% of sock purchases still occur in person rather than online.
All three stores will feature the company’s full product assortment, which has expanded significantly beyond socks to include underwear, T-shirts, slippers, slides and bralettes. Customers will be able to try on footwear items in-store.
In addition to opening its own stores, Bombas is launching wholesale partnerships with Target and DSW. Both partnerships will roll out in phases beginning next month.
At DSW, Bombas plans to emphasize its growing footwear business, which now represents approximately 20% of annual sales. The brand will feature slippers and slides alongside socks in DSW’s nearly 500 stores.
Founded in 2013, Bombas has maintained its original mission, donating more than 150 million items to homeless shelters. The founders appeared on “Shark Tank” in 2014 and won the backing of Daymond John, going on to become one of the most successful ventures in the TV show’s history with more than $2 billion in lifetime sales.
Bombas brick-and-mortar locations
- New York City: West Village, 345 Bleecker St.
- Boca Raton, Fla.: Town Center, 6000 Glades Road
- Austin, Texas: The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace
