Latest news with #GardinerBros
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Authentic brings Sperry back to UK and Ireland
This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. Authentic Brands Group signed a new deal with Gardiner Bros to reintroduce the Sperry brand to the U.K. and Ireland, according to a Tuesday release. Under the agreement, Gardiner Bros will serve as the official distributor of Sperry footwear for men and women. This is Sperry's first licensee in the U.K. and Ireland since Authentic's acquisition of the brand in 2024, according to a spokesperson. Also Tuesday, Authentic announced the appointment of former Amazon exec Tim Derner as global head of its marketplaces division. Dener was most recently director of Amazon Fashion and Luxury Stores. Sperry's previous parent company, Wolverine World Wide, distributed the brand in the U.K. and Ireland through a deal with Fabulous Footwear. The Sperry brand has longstanding market appeal in the region, and the deal with Gardiner Bros brings Sperry back to a market where it holds 'strong awareness and affinity,' Authentic said in the release. In addition, Ben Gardiner, chief product officer at Gardiner Bros, said boat shoes 'are having a real resurgence.' The move builds on Authentic's continuing global expansion. In May, the company announced that it would bring its Rockport brand to the U.K. and Ireland through a men's and women's footwear distribution deal with Chapters Brand Group. The company also extended its Boardriders Japan license in June and announced a South Africa partnership for its Ted Baker brand in December. Last year, Authentic hired its first general manager for Africa. The company also brought in its first Australia-based employee to be the new head of Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Derner, who started his role on June 2, is expected to help push Authentic's global distribution strategy, particularly in terms of 'strengthening partnerships, accelerating brand reach and driving incremental value across platforms,' per the release. While at Amazon, he worked with Authentic to 'significantly expand the online presence and retail sales' of brands including Reebok, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer and Aéropostale in Amazon stores. In his new role, Derner will report to newly appointed president Matt Maddox. 'Marketplaces are a critical engine for long-term brand growth,' said Maddox. 'Tim's track record of building high-performing teams and scaling digital marketplaces worldwide makes him the ideal leader to deepen our capabilities in this space. His appointment marks a significant step in making this channel a cornerstone of our global distribution strategy.' Derner's former employer Amazon was one of the investors, alongside Authentic, in the January acquisition of the Neiman Marcus Group by Saks Global, parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue. Authentic also launched a joint venture with Saks Global in October 2024 called Authentic Luxury Group, which was created to explore licensing opportunities and drive growth for Saks Global as well as Authentic-owned brands including Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Hervé Léger and Vince. Recommended Reading Rebag joins forces with Luxury Stores at Amazon 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 United
18-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Authentic to reintroduce Sperry in the UK and Ireland
American brand development and licensing platform Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is partnering with Gardiner Bros, Gloucestershire-based family-run distributor of global footwear and apparel brands, to reintroduce Sperry in the UK and Ireland. In a statement, Authentic said it has appointed Gardiner Bros as the official distributor for the boat shoe heritage brand across the UK and Ireland for men's and women's footwear. Henry Stupp, president, lifestyle and entertainment at EMEIA at Authentic, said: 'We're proud to partner with Gardiners to introduce more consumers to Sperry's storied heritage. 'With their deep expertise in distribution and strong retail relationships, Gardiner is the ideal partner to accelerate Sperry's growth in these key markets, bringing signature styles, like the iconic original boat shoe, to a new generation of consumers.' Sperry footwear campaign Credits: Authentic Authentic acquired the Sperry brand in January 2024 from Wolverine World Wide. It adds that the Sperry brand has long been recognised for its 'rich heritage and timeless appeal' in the region and believes that it is a great time to reintroduce the brand, especially where it 'holds strong awareness and affinity,' to support Sperry's ongoing global expansion. Ben Gardiner, chief product officer at Gardiner Bros, added: 'We're excited to partner with Authentic on Sperry, the original and iconic boat shoe brand. Boat shoes are having a real resurgence, and we look forward to reintroducing timeless silhouettes alongside fresh new styles to customers in the UK and Ireland.' Sperry's footwear collections, including its boat shoes and new seasonal styles, will be available at select retailers and online at This is the latest footwear deal from Authentic in the UK and Ireland market. Last month it inked a partnership with Chapters Brand Group to distribute its Rockport brand in men's and women's footwear.
Fashion Network
17-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Authentic taps Gardiner Bros to relaunch Sperry in the UK and Ireland
Authentic Brands Group announced on Tuesday a new strategic partnership with Gardiner Bros, one of the UK's top footwear and apparel distributors, to expand the reach of Sperry in the UK and Ireland. Under the agreement, Gardiner Bros will serve as the official distributor of Sperry footwear for both men and women across the region. The move aims to reintroduce the iconic American boat shoe brand to British and Irish consumers. 'We're proud to partner with Gardiners to introduce more consumers to Sperry's storied heritage,' said Henry Stupp president, lifestyle & entertainment, EMEIA at Authentic. 'With their deep expertise in distribution and strong retail relationships, Gardiner is the ideal partner to accelerate Sperry's growth in these key markets, bringing signature styles, like the iconic original boat shoe, to a new generation of consumers.' Sperry has long been recognized in the UK and Ireland as a brand with rich heritage and timeless appeal. As part of the partnership, Sperry's footwear collections, including its iconic boat shoes and new seasonal assortments, will be available at select retailers and online. 'We're excited to partner with Authentic on Sperry, the original and iconic boat shoe brand,' said Ben Gardiner, chief product officer at Gardiner Bros. 'Boat shoes are having a real resurgence, and we look forward to reintroducing timeless silhouettes alongside fresh new styles to customers in the UK and Ireland.' Emma Jefferies, head of brand marketing at Gardiner Bros, added: 'With its rich history and growing cultural relevance, Sperry is a strong addition to our portfolio, and we're excited to build on its success in these markets.'
Fashion Network
17-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Authentic taps Gardiner Bros to relaunch Sperry in the UK and Ireland
Authentic Brands Group announced on Tuesday a new strategic partnership with Gardiner Bros, one of the UK's top footwear and apparel distributors, to expand the reach of Sperry in the UK and Ireland. Under the agreement, Gardiner Bros will serve as the official distributor of Sperry footwear for both men and women across the region. The move aims to reintroduce the iconic American boat shoe brand to British and Irish consumers. 'We're proud to partner with Gardiners to introduce more consumers to Sperry's storied heritage,' said Henry Stupp president, lifestyle & entertainment, EMEIA at Authentic. 'With their deep expertise in distribution and strong retail relationships, Gardiner is the ideal partner to accelerate Sperry's growth in these key markets, bringing signature styles, like the iconic original boat shoe, to a new generation of consumers.' Sperry has long been recognized in the UK and Ireland as a brand with rich heritage and timeless appeal. As part of the partnership, Sperry's footwear collections, including its iconic boat shoes and new seasonal assortments, will be available at select retailers and online. 'We're excited to partner with Authentic on Sperry, the original and iconic boat shoe brand,' said Ben Gardiner, chief product officer at Gardiner Bros. 'Boat shoes are having a real resurgence, and we look forward to reintroducing timeless silhouettes alongside fresh new styles to customers in the UK and Ireland.' Emma Jefferies, head of brand marketing at Gardiner Bros, added: 'With its rich history and growing cultural relevance, Sperry is a strong addition to our portfolio, and we're excited to build on its success in these markets.'
