The 10 Best Sneaker Retailers in the UK
'Life's too short' is a great excuse to do anything. Shopping things, especially. And one commodity that spikes our serotonin levels every single time is trainers. They 'spark joy', as author Marie Kondo would put it. Thus, it's vital that we – and our fellow sneakerheads – treat ourselves to a new pair every so often.
From where? Well, that's that's what we're here to discuss. The Where is crucial. It's a huge part of the experience.
The fancy packaging, the in-store installations, the customer service – it'll all come flooding back to you each time you step into those treads. And, to point out the obvious, it's the shoes you imbue with happy memories that you'll want to keep on wearing.
Plus, there are plenty of store exclusives waiting to be discovered, which adds to the thrill of the hunt! Whether a sneaker is part of an official collaboration with the retailer or the store has managed to source pairs of super rare sneaks, you'll chance upon a wealth of unexpected options if you physically and virtually visit the right retailers.
Like, one of the following ten sneaker shops that we're calling the best.
Allow us to introduce you to them, and them to introduce themselves.
Sevenstore
Store location: Liverpool
Webstore: www.sevenstore.com
Best for: New releases from the big hitters and contemporary classics from rising labels
Sevenstore is arguably north-west England's most impressive sneaker destination. The independent boutique welcomes locals and tourists alike into its industrial space populated with tempting streetwear and provides access – primarily via its online store – to some of the most exciting drops from Jordan Brand, New Balance Made in USA and more.
Mark MacDonald, Sevenstore Buying Director: “We stock sneakers from across the gamut: the big-hitting established brands such as Adidas, Asics, Nike and New Balance to the emerging brands such as Hoka and Altra. I always want a mix of interesting brands coming through as we have a progressive footwear customer with an expectation that we'll be part of a select group of retailers who help incubate new and interesting sneaker brands and franchises. Storytelling is key to our footwear drops. We want people of different ages and backgrounds to connect to the releases. Above all, we want to build a community”
End
Store location: Newcastle, London, Glasgow, Manchester
Webstore: www.endclothing.com
Best for: Hype launches, high-end trainers and gorpcore go-tos
Since End has Geordie roots, it's no surprise that each of its stores – including its webstore – holds such a welcoming aura. There are products to suit every budget and every sense of style; brands such as Vans and Converse sit beside Gucci and Valentino and every purchase is made to feel just as important as the next.
Dean Walker, End Energy Director: “We pride ourselves on our curation of footwear at End, with the aim of delivering an elevated assortment from our key sportswear, performance, contemporary fashion and luxury brands; an Adidas Samba, a Salomon XT-6, a Represent Reptor and a Rick Owens Geobasket sit together harmoniously in our stores and on our website.
“We also have our collaborations which are an opportunity to present our customers with something new, unique and exciting. We work with our brand partners to underline our place in sneaker culture, whether we're reworking an iconic silhouette or delivering a spin on something new and innovative.
“Additionally, there's End Launches which levels the playing field for access to sneakers. We set this up back in 2016 when bots were making access to high-heat launches almost impossible. End Launches adds a level of democracy to e-commerce: the raffle system allows genuine consumers equal chance to get their hands on covetable, highly anticipated drops. Accessibility, curation, and community are what underpins the End brand.”
Kick Game
Store location: London
Webstore: www.kickgame.co.uk
Best for: Super-rare sneaks, especially those made by Nike
Since 2013, Kick Game has been a reliable retailer for those hoping to secure sold-out sneakers. It possesses a multitude of deadstock grails including the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 'Chicago', the Kanye West x Bapesta 'College Dropout' and some of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s designed by Virgil Abloh.
Dan Rookwood, Kick Game CMO: “We alleviate the pain points that sneaker shoppers find elsewhere – no annoying hidden fees, we offer next-day delivery and guarantee authentication.
“Our flagship store in London’s Covent Garden has become a must-stop shop for top-tier UK and international talent – from Central Cee to Speed to Aurélien Tchouaméni – and we regularly put on meet-and-greets and in-store events for our community.
“As we continue to elevate and evolve Kick Game’s offering, we will be stocking more brands that are relevant to our audience and with whom we can collaborate, create content and co-host events. Watch this space.”
Footpatrol
Store location: London
Webstore: www.footpatrol.com
Best for: Fashionable flexes and underrated gems
Footpatrol fosters the sneaker community: the sneaker retailer does more than simply sell shoes, it hosts talk and events, conducts in-store raffles and even – for lack of a better word – runs a running club. And the shoes they do sell are often sought after and occasionally exclusive.
Bradley Martinez, Footpatrol Marketing Manager: “We offer an eclectic mix, everything from your Travis Scotts to your Adidas Sambas. Additionally, we have been able to bring our customers exclusive collaborations with the likes of Asics, Saucony and more. Our 22-year heritage means that we are many sneakerheads' go-to for new launches, but also running shoes. We are passionate about the evolution of footwear.”
StockX
Store location: Online only
Webstore: stockx.com
Best for: Limited-edition models and colourways
StockX makes shopping for coveted kicks – as well as hypey apparel and collectibles – easy. More times than not you can cop exactly what you want in exactly the size you need, and the price is based on demand, hence the business' name. And of course, everything is verified before being sent your way, so shoppers can rest assured knowing that the goods they're flexing are unworn, undamaged and, most importantly, genuine.
Drew Haines, StockX Merchandising Director: “On StockX, we provide access to high-demand sneakers that are often unavailable at traditional retailers. Our merchandising team is constantly updating our curated selection to make sure we cover everything our customers want – from the latest high-fashion collaborations and limited-edition releases to classic favourites sold across the globe.
“Thanks to our global network of sellers, StockX provides buyers with access to those hard-to-find, coveted items that aren't released or sold in their region. Buyers can also find incredible deals on StockX, with many products trading for well below their original retail price, making our offerings a better price than many traditional retailers. StockX also operates via an innovative bid/ask model, where buyers can set a price for how much they want to pay. When that number matches a seller’s ask, the transaction is completed. This, coupled with the historical sales and pricing data we provide means you only ever have to pay the fair market value of the sneakers.”
Presented By
Store location: London
Webstore: www.presentedby.com
Best for: Enviable grails
Presented By aims to build relationships with sneakerheads based in London and beyond by inviting them to treat its boutiques as museum spaces. Naturally, all of the pieces on display are up for grabs, but you needn't be prepared to purchase a pair to enjoy your in-store experience.
Ridwane Ettoubi, Presented By CEO: “Our stores are a retail space and an exhibition space in one – it's where sneaker and streetwear enthusiasts come together not only to shop but to discover, share and celebrate their love of urban culture. And Presentedby London store stands as a unique, innovative space deeply connected to Presentedby’s brand DNA. It pays homage to the local region.
“We also have stores in Paris, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh and Mexico – our inventory rotates quarterly so that our customers worldwide have a chance to see and access some of the globe's rarest sneakers.
Schuh
Store location: Nationwide
Webstore: www.schuh.co.uk
Best for: Reliable classics and overlooked shoe rack heroes
Don't underestimate Schuh, the high street mainstay stocks a range of remarkable gems in addition to all the everyday essentials it's known for. So, whether you're looking to refresh your trusty commute footwear or hoping to enhance your 'fits by bagging some kicks approved by the streets, we recommend you give your local Schuh a go.
Amberley Freeman, Schuh Athleisure Buyer: “Schuh is a progressive and inclusive retailer that celebrates and champions self-expression and individuality. We stock the hottest sneaker brands for the socially conscious youth, including hype brands like Asics, New Balance and Keen, and the latest styles from trainer titans such as Puma, Reebok and Adidas.
“Whether it’s our single shoe initiative for disabled customers, our Sell Your Soles footwear takeback scheme or our 365-day return period, everything we do is centred around purpose, product and people, and how we can create the best shopping experience for our customers.”
Size?
Store location: Nationwide
Webstore: www.size.co.uk
Best for: Fun exclusives and little known releases
Size? might be popular, well known and have a physical presence in cities across the UK yet it still manages to maintain an IYKYK spirit. And this extends to its constantly updated webstore – it's here you'll discover creps that you never knew you needed, and deals so good you'll be dying to spread the word.
Christopher Binns, Size? Senior Footwear Buyer: “At Size?, we’ve been curating the best in footwear since 2000, and our selection is a reflection of the diverse community we serve. From the seasoned Adidas Terrace collector who knows every stitch and colourway to the die-hard Jordan collectors seeking the Jumpman releases, we cater to every footwear enthusiast out there.
“Our roots on the high street run deep, and our dedication to the sneaker community is unmatched. We’re not just selling shoes, we’re showcasing the newest sneaker innovations and celebrating the culture, history, and passion that unites us all.”
The Edit Ldn
Store location: Harrods
Webstore: www.theeditldn.com
Best for: Unreleased heat and popular collaborations
The Edit Ldn, the self-styled home of limited edition clothing and sneakers, has an impressive catalogue, and a lot of the time, has products in stock before they've officially been released, including treads from the popular Travis Scott x Jordan and Wales Bonner x Adidas collaborations. You can secure such sneaks via its website and in its Harrods concession.
Moses Rashid, The Edit Ldn Founder: “At The Edit Ldn, we focus on finding the most sought-after sneakers and the hidden gems in culturally relevant brands that people are yet to discover. They are sourced by our team from across the globe.
“This year, we've really been listening to our customers to ensure that culture and community remain at the heart of our decisions. From this month on, you'll see more and more products available at their RRP on the site. This is such an exciting time for the company.”
Crep Collection Club
Store location: Bluewater and Lakeside
Webstore: www.crepcollectionclub.co.uk
Best for: Collectable kicks
Just five years ago, Crep Collection Club appeared on the scene with hopes that it could make the sneakerverse feel approachable. It's safe to say it's on its way to achieving its goal: it's already set up shop in two of the country's most popular shopping centres – namely, Lakeside and Bluewater – and has introduced millions of people to its inventory by way of TikTok.
Jamal Okubule, Crep Collection Club founder: “At Crep Collection Club, we pride ourselves on having a wide range of stock to cater to our in-store and online customers. From Jordan 4 to Adidas Yeezy, Nike Dunks to Asics, we love to balance the new heat with the old classics.
“We began in my mum's home in north-west London in 2019. We sold the shoes on Depop. Fast forward to 2024, Crep Collection Club is now located in two of the UK's largest shopping malls, stocking 1000s of limited sneakers in various colourways and sizes for people from all walks of life.
“Changing the stigma of resell stores one shoe at a time' is our slogan. Crep Collection Club's mission is to be affordable and convenient, and provide excellent service to all customers. Whether you have £50 or you have £1,000, you can cop some kicks at our store and leave feeling like royalty.”
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