About GRS Footwear
George Rye & Sons Ltd is a family-owned footwear business tracing its origins back to 1880. From our leather manufacturing roots in Newcastle upon Tyne to a modern distribution hub in Northumberland, quality, reliability, and long-term trade relationships remain at our core.
Founded in 1880
Over 140 years of continuous trading and deep shoe trade manufacturing heritage.
5 Generations
Family-owned and managed through two world wars, depressions, and industry shifts.
Award-Winning Brands
Home to market-leading brands including Lunar Shoes, Grisport, and Lazy Dogz.
Our History & North East Legacy
Over 140 Years of Resilience, Strategic Adaptation, and Growth
Groat Market Upper Manufacturing
George Smart Rye arrives in Newcastle from Northampton in 1879 and opens an upper manufacturing business at 45 Groat Market alongside shoemaker George Clarke, supplying hundreds of regional shoemakers and repairers. By all accounts, George was a well-known personality in Newcastle business circles.
Shift to Leather Wholesaling & 5-Storey Warehouse
Following service in WWI, George Edward Rye recognises the rise of mass-production Midlands factories and pivots the business into wholesaling leather and grindery materials. This leads to rapid growth, culminating in the purchase of 41–43 Groat Market to create a five-storey warehouse.
Navigating Crisis & Footwear Distribution Era
After Edward Rye steers GRS through the harsh winter of 1963 (when 1/3 of UK shoe repair customers closed due to weather and crepe sole trends), current Chairman Michael Rye joins in 1964 and launches footwear distribution across the UK and Europe.
Creation of Lunar Shoes & 5th Generation
Lunar Shoes is launched in 1990 to offer stylish, colourful, and elegant ladies' footwear across independent boutiques and department stores. In 1992, Martin Rye joins as the 5th generation of the family business.
Purpose-Built Cramlington Distribution Hub
Relocating from Shieldfield, Newcastle, GRS opens its state-of-the-art, purpose-built distribution centre in Cramlington, Northumberland, supporting 24-hour stock replenishment across the UK and international markets.
Our Brand Portfolio
Distributing and developing market-leading footwear brands across the UK, Europe, and worldwide.
Lunar Shoes
Born in 1990 to bring colourful, designer-inspired fashion at accessible price points. Offering over 300 new seasonal designs spanning classic shoes, boots, comfort lines, and wellingtons across Europe and Australia.
Grisport
One of Italy's premier footwear producers at the foot of the Dolomites, producing nearly 20,000 pairs daily powered by 15,000m² of solar energy. Officially named a Which? Recommended Brand for outdoor walking shoes.
Lazy Dogz
Brings personality, vibrant colour, and supreme comfort to daily life with funky luxury slippers alongside a growing collection of premium leather boots, shoes, and sandals.
Warehouse Expansion & Modern Trade Infrastructure
Investing in scale, stock-integrated technology, and multi-channel trade solutions.
2018 Warehouse Expansion
Added a complete second floor, increasing stock holding capacity by 75% for 24-hour replenishment, complete with an in-house design and photography studio.
Live Stock-Integrated Web Portal
Operating since 2015, our trade website provides live stock visibility across tens of thousands of product lines, transforming how stockists manage inventory replenishment.
Automated B2B Drop Shipping
Fully automated drop shipping for pre-approved key multiple retailers (£15M+ turnover), enabling partners to expand digital ranges with zero stock holding investment.
National Footwear Industry Recognition
Ladies Fashion Brand of the Year (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Outdoor Brand of the Year (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) & Which? Recommended Brand (September 2025)