Everlast Worldwide Inc. has signed a new license to manufacture and distribute athletic and casual footwear for men, women and children with E.S. Originals Inc, a footwear marketer with over $1 billion in annual retail sales. The New York City headquartered company will distribute the Everlast branded products beginning in the second quarter of 2007 to sporting goods, athletic footwear and department stores in the U.S. and Canada.
This new license replaces Everlast’s former footwear license with the Meldisco division of Footstar, Inc. that focused on mass merchant retailers. This change allows Everlast to elevate its footwear distribution to match its apparel channels of trade. Thus, a fully coordinated line of Everlast apparel and shoes will be available to better retailers, in conjunction with the company’s apparel licensees.
Seth Horowitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Everlast Worldwide, said, “We are very pleased to have transitioned our footwear license and aligned it seamlessly with our broader suite of licensed products. The management of E.S. Originals has unparalleled experience in footwear marketing, distribution and sales, and complements our high quality group of licensing partners. We expect this group’s unique product offerings to bolster our existing worldwide footwear programs and add to the luster of the iconic Everlast brand.”
Eddie Esses, President of E.S. Originals said, “By capitalizing on the famed Everlast brand and its positive consumer associations, we plan to offer a new and exciting line of footwear that will ignite the market with unique styles, inspired by the authenticity of the Everlast brand while meeting the latest demands in fashion and sports. Drawing on our expertise in creative design, sourcing and marketing, we plan to introduce Everlast footwear to today’s trendsetters, which will give the brand broader appeal, especially among a younger generation. In tandem with Everlast’s apparel licensees, we will be able to offer the consumer a fully coordinated product line.”
