Merchant 1948

Who is Merchant 1948. We’ve been doing this for three generations; perfecting footwear craftsmanship, creating genuine connections and inspiring people. The vision that started it all? Our desire to bring high quality, fashionable footwear to New Zealanders.

 Craftsmanship. We work closely with suppliers, factories and craftsmen around the globe to create our carefully curated (and constantly evolving) range. They help us bring our visions to life, as we pursue the latest in style, materials and fit. Thanks to our strategic supply chain and planning, we have fresh product arriving every week; there’s always something new to fall in love with.

Experience. We think the word “store” sells ourselves a little short. When you come in to Merchant 1948 or Overland, you’re not simply shopping; you’ll experience the warm and caring nature of our teams, with unparalleled footwear knowledge and fitting expertise. You’re not just a customer either – we want to hear your story, and share ours too. We’ll do everything we can to give you a truly transformative footwear experience.

Heritage. You could say footwear is in our blood. Merchant 1948 founder Shane Anselmi comes from a long, proud line of footwear merchants. From 1948 his grandfather Guiglielmo, an Italian immigrant, had shoe stores in New Zealand’s King Country. His son Tony then bought the business and his passion and work ethic saw these stores flourish and expand. This drive was something he passed down to Shane, who then created Overland, a brand trusted and beloved by many.

A few years ago we decided to move with the times, choosing the name Merchant 1948 and a new look to reflect the footwear heritage we’re so proud of. We’re in the process of rebranding our stores and updating their look and feel –it’s exciting! Merchant 1948 heralds a new era for us, with innovation and progress our key focus.