Latest news with #Authentic
Fashion United
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
US brand Rockport to enter UK and Ireland via new Authentic deal
US footwear brand Rockport is set to enter the UK and Ireland through a new deal between its parent company Authentic Brands Group and distribution firm Chapters brand Group. Through the agreement, Chapters will distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the two regions. In a release, Chapters' managing director, Graeme Nichol, said there was 'a clear demand for footwear that combines everyday functionality with thoughtful design and Rockport delivers exactly that'. Nichol noted that Chapters' has 'stuck faithfully to the brand's original specifications' for footwear classics like the Umbwe, which still incorporates 'Vibram soles, Hydroshield membranes, full moccasin construction and sumptuous, butter calf leathers'. In his own statement, Henry Stupp, president, lifestyle and entertainment EMEAI at Authentic, added: 'Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following. 'Chapters' deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport's presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.' Rockport, founded in 1971, was acquired by Authentic in 2023 after the brand had filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Authentic's intention was to secure strategic partnerships to 'propel the Rockport brand into new heights', efforts of which had already been made evident by the establishment of a licensing agreement in the US with Marc Fisher Footwear.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Authentic links with Chapters Brand Group for Rockport in UK and Ireland
has announced a new partnership with UK-based Chapters Brand Group with the British footwear distributor set to distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the UK and Ireland. Chapters' current portfolio includes brands such as Cat Footwear, Norda, Original Penguin, Bench, Lambretta, Osprey London and Kickers bags and clothing. Meanwhile global brand development and licensing platform Authentic controls and manages a vast range of brands, including Juicy Couture, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker and many more and operates a vast network of licenses around the world. In fact, Authentic owns more than 50 global brands, generating approximately $32 billion in annual retail sales. Henry Stupp, its president, lifestyle & entertainment EMEAI, said: 'Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following. Chapters' deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport's presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.' And Chapters MD Graeme Nichol added: 'There's a clear demand for footwear that combines everyday functionality with thoughtful design and Rockport delivers exactly that. The Umbwe is an iconic footwear classic, and we've stuck faithfully to the brand's original specifications, using Vibram soles, Hydroshield membranes, full moccasin construction, and sumptuous, buttery calf leathers to ensure comfort and quality remain at the forefront.'
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Authentic links with Chapters Brand Group for Rockport in UK and Ireland
Authentic Brands Group has announced a new partnership with UK-based Chapters Brand Group with the British footwear distributor set to distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the UK and Ireland. Chapters' current portfolio includes brands such as Cat Footwear, Norda, Original Penguin, Bench, Lambretta, Osprey London and Kickers bags and clothing. Meanwhile global brand development and licensing platform Authentic controls and manages a vast range of brands, including Juicy Couture, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker and many more and operates a vast network of licenses around the world. In fact, Authentic owns more than 50 global brands, generating approximately $32 billion in annual retail sales. Henry Stupp, its president, lifestyle & entertainment EMEAI, said: 'Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following. Chapters' deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport's presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.' And Chapters MD Graeme Nichol added: 'There's a clear demand for footwear that combines everyday functionality with thoughtful design and Rockport delivers exactly that. The Umbwe is an iconic footwear classic, and we've stuck faithfully to the brand's original specifications, using Vibram soles, Hydroshield membranes, full moccasin construction, and sumptuous, buttery calf leathers to ensure comfort and quality remain at the forefront.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rockport's Headed to the UK and Ireland
Leading footwear distributor Chapters Brand Group is set to bring the Rockport shoe brand across the pond. Brand management firm Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Rockport intellectual property, has signed a deal with Chapters to distribute the brand across the U.K. and Ireland. Authentic said that under the terms of the agreement, Chapter will distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the regions. More from WWD Brooks Brothers Returns to Downtown NYC With Global Flagship Authentic Brands Group Is Buying Dockers for $311 Million Richard Baker Confirms Saks Global to Cut Up to 600 Vendors 'Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following,' Henry Stupp, president, Lifestyle & Entertainment EMEAI at Authentic, said. 'Chapters' deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport's presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.' Graeme Nichol, a managing director at Chapters, said, 'There's a clear demand for footwear that combines everyday functionality with thoughtful design and Rockport delivers exactly that.' He cited the Umbwe as an iconic footwear classic, noting that his firm has 'stuck faithfully to the brand's original specifications,' using Vibram soles, Hydroshield membranes, full moccasin construction, and buttery calf leathers to make sure that both 'comfort and quality remain at the forefront.' Rockport Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection in June 2023. It was the second Chapter 11 filing within a five year period for the shoe firm founded in 1971 by the father and son duo Saul and Bruce Katz. They sold the brand to Reebok in 1986 for $118 million, which later sold it in 2015. Authentic snapped up the brand in July 2023 during a bankruptcy court approved sales. Authentic a year earlier acquired Rockport's former parent Reebok. One of Authentic's first moves was to tap Marc Fisher Footwear—it's also the shoe licensee for Authentic's Nine West, Hunter Boots and Bandolino labels—as its U.S. partner to handle Rockport's footwear design, wholesale and e-commerce operations. The brand's offerings skews more towards the men's footwear market. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fashion Network
20-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Levi Strauss & Co to sell Dockers to Authentic Brands for $311 million
'The sale of Dockers allows us to further align our portfolio with our strategic priorities—focusing on our direct-to-consumer (DTC) approach, growing our international presence, and investing in opportunities in women's and denim categories,' said Michelle Gass, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co, in a press release. As part of its Project Fuel transformation plan, Levi Strauss has made several changes, including discontinuing its Denizen brand, mainly distributed in Asia; closing its Plock factory in Poland; and ending its footwear line. The company is also reducing its workforce and concentrating efforts on its flagship Levi's label and its athleisure brand, Beyond Yoga. 'Following a rigorous process, we are confident that we have maximized the company's value and that Authentic is the right organization to write the next chapter in Dockers' growth story,' Gass added. Dockers will join Authentic Brands Group 's extensive portfolio, which typically operates through licensing agreements with third-party manufacturers and distributors. ABG's holdings include Ted Baker, Jones New York, and shirt brands such as Van Heusen and Arrow. The group also owns preppy staple Izod and major U.S. casualwear names like Nautica and Eddie Bauer. 'Dockers is a natural fit for the Authentic model,' said Jamie Salter, founder, chairman, and CEO of Authentic. 'It's a brand with deep roots, high awareness, and a strong licensing foundation—exactly the attributes we look for when acquiring new brands. Dockers played a key role in shaping the casual workplace look we know today, and we see strong potential to build on that legacy across multiple categories.' The transaction remains subject to closing conditions and is expected to be finalized around July 31, 2025, for Dockers' intellectual property and operations in the United States and Canada. The rest of the brand's operations—including its presence in Europe and Asia, where Dockers maintains several stores and retail partnerships—are expected to transfer by January 31, 2026. During the transition period, Dockers will continue operating under Levi Strauss & Co's existing infrastructure.
