[2] The company originated from a small factory run by André Brantegem and his brother in Lede, East Flanders.

They specialised in ladies' shoes which they sold to wholesalers and retailers in Belgium.

Eventually the brothers separated and in 1962 André initiated a retail outlet at the factory.

In 2007, Dutch holding company Macintosh Retail Group took over ownership of Brantano.

In 2015, Macintosh sold the Brantano UK subsidiary to Alteri Investors.