US brand Andie Swim acquires basics brand Richer Poorer
U.S. brand Andie has acquired fellow American apparel brand Richer Poorer, marking the first-ever acquisition for the direct-to-consumer swimwear brand as it steps into more categories.
Founded in 2010 by Iva Pawling and Timothy Morse, Richer Poorer is an apparel brand known for its cook wardrobe staples. In 2023, the brand was acquired by mall chain Francesca's.
Following the acquisition, Richer Poorer will be folded into Andie's e-commerce operations, enabling the brand to better leverage data to drive customer acquisition, optimize inventory, and accelerate growth, according to a press release.
Richer Poorer will continue to operate as a standalone brand. However, each brand will begin to feature select products from the other on their respective websites, to "create meaningful cross-discovery between two highly aligned customer bases."
"When I saw that possibility, it immediately clicked. I've been a longtime fan and customer, and the brand had everything we were envisioning—elevated basics, comfort, wearability, and a loyal customer base. It felt like a natural extension of Andie," said Melanie Travis, CEO of Andie Swim.
"Customers won't see big changes — we love the brand and the product, and that's why we bought it. But we're going to bring fresh energy through a sharper merchandising lens, a best-in-class site experience, fewer stockouts, and faster fulfillment. What customers love about Richer Poorer will remain, just supported by a stronger operational backbone."
Founded in 2017 by Travis, Andie is a swimwear brand known for its inclusive fit and stylish design. Last year, the brand partnered with actress Mindy Kaling for a new swimwear collection.
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