WHP Global to acquire 50% stake in Lands’ End brand
Lands' End is forming a joint venture with brand management and acquisition company WHP Global in a deal that will provide the apparel brand with $300 million in cash.
As part of the joint venture, the women's apparel retailer will contribute all of its intellectual property and related assets associated with its brand, including all of the license agreements entered into in connection with Lands’ End’s licensing business. WHP Global will pay Lands’ End $300 million in cash for a 50% controlling ownership stake. The brand intends to use proceeds from the sale to, among other things, fully repay its outstanding term loan, which was approximately $234 million as of Jan. 26, 2026, and for general purposes.
The deal comes nearly one year after Lands' End announced it was exploring strategic options, which could include a sale, to maximize shareholder value.
WHP will lead the joint venture’s global licensing strategy and brand expansion, while Lands’ End will retain full operational control of its direct-to-consumer and B2B businesses. Upon closing, the joint venture will be owned 50/50 by Lands’ End and WHP Global and will be designed to maximize the value of Lands’ End’s intellectual property, leveraging the brand expertise and global license network of WHP Global's platform, the companies said
“We see significant opportunity to expand the reach of the Lands’ End brand both in the U.S. and globally by leveraging WHP Global’s platform – which today spans 80-plus countries, 225-plus license partners, and, post-close, a portfolio generating more than $8 billion in global retail sale,” said Yehuda Shmidman, founder, chairman & CEO of WHP Global, whose portfolio includes Toys "R" Us, Vera Wang, Bonobos and more. "We look forward to partnering with the Lands’ End team to unlock the brand’s next chapter of growth.”
WHP Global’s licensing platform is expected to accelerate category expansion, improve partner selection, and enhance long-term royalty generation for the brand. Lands’ End’s existing customers, products, channels and brand presentation will remain unchanged as a result of the transaction.
In a statement, Land's End chair Josephine Linden said the joint venture represents "a fantastic opportunity for Lands’ End and will enable an even brighter future for the company and brand."
"After carefully reviewing the full range of strategic alternatives available to the company, the board determined that this structure delivers Lands’ End stockholders superior long-term, risk-adjusted value by combining immediate balance sheet strength with retained upside and operational continuity," she said. "We look forward to working with WHP Global to capture the great opportunity ahead.”
