Putting their best feet forward

Merger

Langtang and Bobu started to lose their popularity with the rise of big-name foreign brands and homegrown trademarks.

In 1987, the two brands merged into Lantang-Bobu. Apart from continuously focusing on their own specialties, the new joint venture helped the two brands develop new products and be more competitive.

At their peak, the two brands sold their shoes to all the provinces in China except the Tibet autonomous region and Taiwan. Customers had to buy the shoes with a special certificate or wait in a long line. Their combined annual revenue once exceeded 90 million yuan.

Regaining their former glory became the main aim of the company. According to Wang Gushan, vice-general manager with the Shanghai Lantang-Bobu Leather Shoes Co Ltd, Lantang-Bobu hopes to strike a balance between stylish and comfortable in its shoes.

Lantang-Bobu operates four stores and more than 30 specialty counters across Shanghai, its products are also available in Suzhou and Changzhou of Jiangsu province, and Changsha of Hunan province.