Done Deals: United Legwear & Apparel Co. Expands Licensing Deal with Skechers In Europe + More News

Catch all the latest news about industry acquisitions and licensing deals here. Got a deal in the works? Tell us at web@footwearnews.com.

July 16, 2024: United Legwear & Apparel Co. (ULAC), a distributor of legwear, apparel, and accessories, has expanded its 20-year licensing deal with Skechers to help it expand across Europe. Via newly formed ULAC subsidiaries, the deal now includes the distribution of Skechers in the European Union and the United Kingdom. “Customers’ enthusiastic response to our offering of Skechers-branded socks has paved the way for additional expansion opportunities, including in Europe,” said Skechers president Michael Greenberg in a statement. “With a long history together, United Legwear understands the Skechers brand, our need for quality and style, and our consumers. Together, we can bring more comfort to the people of Europe.”

June 20:, 2024: Allbirds has inked announced new distributor agreements in Benelux and Scandinavia, bringing its total number of partnerships with international distributors to eight. In 2023, Allbirds inked similar deals in Canada and South Korea. In 2024, it signed deals in Japan, Australasia, Gulf Countries, and Southeast Asia. Authentic Brands will distribute Allbirds in Benelux and The Future will distribute the brand in Scandinavia.

June 14, 2024: Resale technology provider Archive has partnered with New Balance to launch a trade-in program at close to 100 stores to support the brand’s Reconsidered resale program, which launched in February. Via the trade-in program, shoppers can trade in their gently used New Balance shoes in return for a voucher towards future purchases at a New Balance store.

June 3, 2024: Following its acquisition by American Exchange Group in January 2023, White Mountain is departing from its longstanding emphasis on women’s footwear over the past four decades. In June 2023, the brand introduced its girls’ footwear line, and now, the brand is launching men’s and boys’ collections. From dress casual to sneakers, each pair of men’s shoes are priced affordably from $60 to $100. Similarly, the boys’ collection combines comfort and style, featuring a range of casual to dressy options, including loafers, drivers, boots, sneakers, and sandals. Available in youth sizes 13 to 4, with retail prices ranging from $25 to $60. The first collections for both men’s and boys are scheduled to be launched in spring 2025 and will be available on the brand’s e-commerce site with retail and specialty stores to follow.

May 1, 2024: Wolverine World Wide, Inc. has entered into two global licensing agreements. The company has enlisted Vida Shoes International, the licensee for its Stride Rite brand since 2017, to become the global licensee for Merrell and Saucony kids footwear across almost all markets. The company also licensed rights for Merrell apparel and accessories to Centric Brands LLC. “Global licensing partnerships like these drive significant value for the Company, reducing risk and cost while enabling us to realize the full value of our brands,” said Chris Hufnagel, president and chief executive officer of Wolverine Worldwide in a statement. “We will continue to take actions to transform Wolverine Worldwide as we deliver on our vision to become builders of great global brands.”

Apr. 25, 2024: Hands-free shoe company Kizik has announced a partnership with Unify Brand Partnerships, a distributor in the UK, to further its international expansion goals. Kizik also plans to expand its presence to Asia via two partnerships that are set to be announced in the coming weeks. “We’ve witnessed resounding success domestically which has informed our efforts to take Kizik global,” said Kizik chief executive officer Monte Deere in a statement.

April 19, 2024: WHP Global has inked a new long-term license for its Lotto brand with Agilitas Sports. Through this license, Agilitas will have the exclusive rights to design, manufacture, promote, and distribute the Lotto brand in India, Australia, and soon in South Africa. With an aim to launch by early 2025, Agilitas plans a multi-category offering in footwear, apparel, accessories, and sports equipment. Agilitas will distribute Lotto products through D2C online channels, brand EBOs, shop-in-shops with retail partners and online marketplaces from its first year of launch. “We are delighted to embark on this journey with Agilitas Sports,” Stanley Silverstein, chief commercial officer at WHP Global, said in a statement. “We are impressed by the expertise of the company’s founders in the sportswear and athleisure market, along with the comprehensive business model they have crafted at Agilitas. Their dedicated focus on the sportswear industry, and a profound belief in India’s promising future as well as other markets like Australia and South Africa, is in line with our core mission of growing the Lotto brand globally.”

March 8, 2024: Elite Footwear Group, a Prime Footwear Group subsidiary, has secured new shoe licensing agreements for both the C&C California and Rachel by Rachel Roy labels. The two brands, which are owned by ACI Licensing, will launch their first footwear collections under the deal in fall 2024 nationwide through leading department stores and boutiques. The new assortment from Rachel by Rachel Roy will span a range of categories including active, casual, and dress shoes, along with a selection of sandals, boots, and booties. For C&C California, the collection will feature an array of active, casual, dress, boots, booties and slippers. According to Elite Footwear Group, both lines will cater to the opening price point segment. “We are thrilled to welcome C&C California and Rachel by Rachel Roy to the Elite Footwear Group family,” Charles Dweck, head of sales for Elite Footwear Group, said in a statement. “These iconic brands epitomize contemporary fashion and resonate strongly with our vision of providing stylish yet affordable footwear options to customers across the USA.”

Jan. 29, 2024: JD Sports has sold its apparel brand licensing subsidiary Focus Brands to Hela Apparel Holdings PLC, a Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer. Focus Brands holds licensing agreements for the design and distribution of Ellesse and Nautica as well as other brands across the UK, EU and other markets. “The addition of Focus Brands to the Hela Group is a watershed moment for us as an organisation,” chairman of Hela Apparel Holdings PLC A. R. Rasiah said in a statement. “We see immense potential to build significant synergies with our existing manufacturing business, supported by the addition of a Focus Brands well-experienced team of over 200 who have a proven track record of successfully growing major apparel brands.”

Jan. 22, 2024: True Religion has inked a new footwear licensing agreement with Orly Corporation, a New York-based wholesale distribution company, as the global accessories brand gears up to launch a footwear collection for men, women and kids in Fall 2024. Prices for the collection will be between $55 and $200. “As we continue to broaden our lifestyle portfolio, we’re pleased to enter into a new footwear partnership,” said True Religion CEO Michael Buckley in a statement. “Orly, our new licensee, takes a customer-first approach to everything they do, which is in alignment with how we run our business. We look forward to being able to provide full head-to-toe looks to our consumers thanks to this unique category extension for the brand.”