Orbico Group and Authentic Brands Group have entered into a new licensing partnership for the Champion brand, “laying the foundation for a long-term collaboration that will unlock new opportunities for growth and development for Champion and both companies across EMEA” according to a media release.
Through the agreement with Authentic, Orbico has reportedly entered into a ten-year (with options to extend) license for the Champion brand for EMEA with Authentic and also to acquire the Champion Europe legal entities and retail stores how operating Champion in EMEA, subject to required regulatory approvals.
Champion Europe, headquartered in Carpi, Italy, operates in 36 countries, employs over 1,300 people and has more than 90 retail stores across the region. The company plans to expand its presence across Europe further in the coming years.
For Orbico, this strategic partnership will act as a “springboard for expanding its operations across all European markets.”
Orbico is expected to leverage its expertise and decades of experience in distributing global brands to enhance the Champion business in several key markets.”We’ve known the Authentic team for many years, and when the opportunity to take on Champion came up, it just made sense to do this together,” offered Edward Malky, chief business officer, beauty, style, and salon professional at Orbico Group. “This partnership marks a significant milestone for Orbico as we expand into the sports style category on a larger scale.”
Henry Stupp, regional president of EMEA and India, lifestyle, Authentic Brands Group, added, “Champion is a powerhouse in Europe, with an established business and a deeply loyal following. From the moment we acquired the brand, Europe was central to our strategy, and identifying the right partner to drive its growth was critical. Orbico emerged as the strong choice, thanks to their unparalleled expertise and proven success with world-class brands. This partnership represents a bold step forward in Champion’ss journey, and we’re confident that together, we will elevate the brand’s presence across EMEA, delivering on its legacy and making it a modern symbol of innovation and sports style.”
Orbico said it has established itself as a proven leader in building strong, exclusive partnerships with world-renowned brands, making this approach an integral part of its business philosophy and strategy for long-term growth and success. The company also said this proven success formula has been effective for over 30 years, exemplified by successful collaborations with global brands, including P&G, PMI, Kellogg, Coty, and others.
In recent years, Orbico has focused on and successfully operated in the Sports Style category, becoming an exclusive distributor for leading footwear brands in Central and Eastern Europe, including Converse, Dr. Martens, Merrell, and On. Orbico said this success has further motivated the company to explore new categories and expand its business into different geographic regions.
Image courtesy Authentic/Converse
