Iconix Brand Group, Inc. announced expansion plans for five brands into new territories. The Op brand, currently licensed in a direct-to-retail license agreement with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., recently launched in Canada in select doors with plans to roll out in all doors in spring 2009. In addition, Wal-Mart Canada has unveiled branded Op shop-in-shops in select Wal-Mart Stores. Op will also launch in Mexico this spring 2009 in Wal-Mart Super Centers.
Iconix also announced that it has entered into four separate license agreements for its London Fog, Joe Boxer and Starter brands in Europe and its Rocawear brand in Brazil.
The company reached an agreement is with Mint Apparel Limited, a division of the Integrix Group for a long-term master license agreement for Starter apparel and key lifestyle categories in the European Union and Turkey. Mint Apparel holds the European license for the FILA and the Company’s Op brand.
The company has entered into a master licensing agreement with Yellowstone Ventures for London Fog clothing and accessories. Yellowstone will hold an exclusive multi-year license to manufacture and distribute the London Fog brand throughout the European Union and Turkey. Yellowstone will also open a London Fog flagship store in Milan with plans for further expansion throughout Europe.
The company has also entered into an exclusive long-term license with Virgo for its Joe Boxer brand. Virgo will roll out stand alone retail stores for Joe Boxer throughout Europe in major cities such as London, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam and Paris. Virgo will manufacture and distribute Joe Boxer intimate apparel and apparel related products in the stores and throughout the European Union and Turkey. Virgo currently also holds the Joe Boxer license in Northern Europe.
Additionally, the company has entered into a license agreement with TBC Gestao de Marcas Ltd., to manufacture and distribute Rocawear apparel, footwear and accessories exclusively in Brazil as well as open freestanding Rocawear stores throughout the country. TBC Gestao de Marcas Ltd., also holds the license for Ecko Unltd and Sean John in Brazil.
“The roll out of Op in Canada and Mexico further deepens the Iconix partnership with Wal-Mart. We were thrilled with the results of the launch of Op in the United States and look forward to a global roll out,” stated Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO of Iconix. “As Iconix continues to expand our licensing network abroad, this is an exciting step for London Fog, Joe Boxer, Rocawear and Starter brands to gain further distribution in Europe and Brazil. We are confident that our new licensees will bring significant expertise and resources to the Iconix portfolio.”
