Dr. Martens’ luxury, thick-soled boots have had quite an evolution since their original founding as workwear shoes in 1940s Germany. By the 1960s, they became a staple of the punk rock scene, becoming a sartorial symbol of the counterculture before hitting the mainstream.

Dr Martens said its new CEO Ije Nwokorie will take over from incumbent Kenny Wilson on Jan. 6 2025, in a shakeup investors hope could boost the struggling boot maker

The company said it has pivoted its marketing “away from brand storytelling focused on culture” to a focus on product

The British footwear brand has described the current year as one of “transition” as it looks to iron out supply chain challenges in the U.S., and get its direct-to-consumer business back on track.

Dr Martens said on Thursday that the autumn-winter festive season had got off to an encouraging start and investors welcomed a reduction in net debt as the bootmaker tries to turn its performance around.

Dr Martens Plc shares soared after the footwear company reported a better-than-expected interim performance and said it’s on track to meet targets unveiled earlier this year.

Dr Martens swings to loss and braces for currency hit - The bootmaker reported pre-tax losses of £28.7 million for the six months to September 29 against profits of £25.8 million the previous year.