Authentic Brands Group acquires Rockport; eyes expansion in other categories
Authentic Brands Group continues to fatten its growing retail portfolio.
The global brand management company said it has received bankruptcy court approval to purchase Rockport, while filed for bankruptcy protection in June with an eye to selling its assets. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. In a release, Authentic said the addition of Rockport expands its “diverse footwear portfolio with a trusted brand.”
The 50-year-old Rockport previously filed for bankruptcy
With Rockport, Authentic said it is poised to leverage its expertise in brand development and strategic partnerships to propel the Rockport brand “into new heights and unlock its full potential.” The acquisition reunites Rockport with its former parent company Reebok, which was acquired by Authentic for $2.5 billion in 2021.
The Rockport purchase follows Authentic’s recent purchases of iconic British brand Hunter boots in June, and its reported $1.3 billion acquisition of Boardriders, the parent company of Quiksilver and Billabong among others, in March. It also recently entered into a partnership with fashion company Vince Holding Corp. to acquire the Vince brand intellectual property.
"Rockport’s core consumer is more active than ever,” said Jamie Salter, counder, chairman and CEO of Authentic. “The brand’s offering is a perfect addition to our portfolio with opportunities for category expansion into apparel, accessories, outerwear, travel and more. There is a significant addressable market, presenting opportunities for the brand to evolve into a full lifestyle offering with a focus on innovation and comfort.”
In addition, Authentic has signed a long-term licensing agreement with key partner Marc Fisher Footwear, a leading full-service fashion footwear company and the U.S. footwear partner for Authentic-owned Nine West, Hunter Boots and Bandolino. Marc Fisher will become the core footwear partner for Rockport in the U.S., taking on the brand’s footwear design, wholesale and e-commerce operations in the territory.
Based In New York City, Authentic owns a portfolio of more than 40 lifestyle, entertainment and media brands, including retailers such as Eddie Bauer, Reebok, Barneys New York, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker, Forever 21, Juicy Couture and more.
The company retail footprint spans more than 150 countries, with 10,800-plus freestanding stores and shop-in-shops and 379,000 points of sale. Following next month’s closing of Rockport and Boardriders, Authentic’s portfolio will generate more than $29 billion in annual retail sales worldwide.