Our History
Join us in celebrating the rich history of Peter Sheppard Footwear, as we share an inside look into the events, products and people that have contributed to our success as one of Australia’s most respected retailers.
We Know Shoes
Over 50 Years of Fine European Footwear
Since 1973, our passion and dedication to providing perfectly fitting footwear for women and men have never faltered. Our staff are as dedicated as our founder, Peter Sheppard, in ensuring the highest quality fabrications, craftsmanship and exceptional customer service are felt within every customer experience. The Peter Sheppard legacy has been built by the loyalty of our employees and customers which is why our 50-year anniversary is not only a celebration of our unique company but of the people who inspire our business principles, values and vision.
Over 50 years ago, Peter Sheppard made a commitment to provide Australians with quality European footwear, specialising in styles that focus on comfort without compromising on style. Today we continue to offer our customers a wide range of premium European brands with our renowned personalised service.
Our highly distinguished reputation as Australia’s leading merchant of high-quality, stylish and comfortable footwear would not be possible without our team's support, dedication and passion. Our team are the driving force behind our outstanding customer service, innovative shoe range and successful business journey. Discover the world of Peter Sheppard Footwear, the events that shaped us and the team that made it all possible.
1970
Start of a Legacy
Passionate about high-quality, correctly-fitting footwear, Peter Sheppard founded his namesake brand in 1973, opening a small retail store on Little Collins Street in Melbourne’s Central Business District.
1980
Fine Fitting Footwear
As demand for quality fitting footwear grew, Peter entered this niche market, positioning his focus on providing women with a specialised fit, while growing his brand awareness with the opening of the first Sydney store. The ‘80s also saw the successful launch of the Peter Sheppard catalogue.
1990
Global Influences
The ‘90s saw Peter Sheppard grow his successful shoe business by expanding the stores’ footprint as well as widening his relationships with suppliers across Europe and the US, who are also family-owned businesses.
2000
The Digital Transformation
Changing with the times, the first Peter Sheppard website was launched, transitioning the brand into a new era. The introduction of accessory lines created a diverse product range of unique European luxury items.
The 20 Year Club
Sydney
Store Manager Fotini Tsaousidis, 2IC Daniel Terrazzino & Sales Associate Sue Seignarack
Sydney
Sales Associates Sue Seignarack, Leanne Petrevski and Eva El Khouri
Brisbane
Sales Associate Phyllis Cunningham
Melbourne
Store Manager Golfo Karavias, Senior Buyer Mary-Jane Hogg, Sales Associate Pamela Rossiter, CEO Chris Sheppard
Meet the people behind Australia’s leading European footwear retailer
Our Peter Sheppard story wouldn’t be a tale of success without the support and dedication of our talented team. Currently, there are over 100 employees across our Australian head office and stores, that we could not be more proud of. Their care and attention to detail across the various roles inside our operation are an inspiration to our founder Peter Sheppard and his son, Chris, the current CEO. We are proud to recognise the employees that have been with us for over 20 years - we acknowledge all their hard work and ongoing commitment to our brand.
Our store team’s dedication to providing exceptional customer service and in-store experience is second to none. Their passion for our brand sees them analysing and measuring your feet while providing product suggestions that complement both your style and footwear needs.
Our dedicated sourcing team located in Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Australia, oversee the production, manufacturing and quality assurance processes to ensure our customers receive the highest degree of craftsmanship, sourcing the best products from European manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, they are constantly evolving the Peter Sheppard brand by implementing state-of-the-art eCommerce experiences and adapting to the latest technology trends.
We are proud to celebrate our rich 50-year history, one that recognises the love and loyalty of our staff and customers. Thank you for being a part of our story and for your continued support and devotion to our brand.