By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) has officially announced its acquisition of the American footwear brand Sperry this week.
Sperry is an American heritage brand that has been manufacturing high-quality casual footwear for more than 90 years.
As part of the acquisition, the ALDO Group has been appointed as the exclusive North American operating partner for the Sperry brand’s wholesale, e-commerce and store operations. The Aldo Group has also been named as the brand’s global partner for footwear design, production and distribution.
“I’m thrilled to further deepen our partnership with Authentic and to announce that Sperry, an iconic casual brand we’ve long admired, is joining the ALDO Group,” said ALDO Group CEO, David Bensadoun. “At our core, we are retailers where the direct relationship with the consumer is key. We’re looking forward to adding 23 Sperry stores to the 430 other branded stores we operate in North America, as well as welcoming Sperry’s store employees to our team,” added Bensadoun. “Our powerful operational structure for stores, wholesale and e-comm has been built over five decades, and we’re excited to put our deep experience to use right away elevating Sperry.”
Authentic Brands Group intends to expand the Sperry brand into additional lifestyle categories and international markets using the company’s global network of licensing, retail and distribution partners.
The Licensing Letter Releases First Global Guide to Licensing Agencies
The brand’s international expansion will have a particular focus in the Asia Pacific region, and Authentic will also grow Sperry’s portfolio to include new lifestyle products such as rainwear, sportswear, bags and accessories.
“We are excited to bring Sperry into the Authentic platform,” said Authentic CEO, Jamie Salter. “Sperry’s influence extends far beyond fashion, embodying a lifestyle that celebrates exploration. We look forward to launching Sperry into a new era alongside ALDO Group, an incredible partner and leader in the footwear industry.”
Authentic Brands Group is a global company that specializes in brand development, marketing and entertainment. It currently owns a portfolio of more than fifty brands across lifestyle, entertainment and media.
The ALDO Group is a global company that specializes in retail, wholesale distribution, third-party sourcing, product design and marketing for the footwear and accessories industry.
Update: Authentic Brands Group Signs Agreement to Acquire Boardriders