L.L.Bean announced its first-ever entrée into the Canadian wholesale and brick and mortar retail market this fall with an exclusive agreement with Jaytex Group to distribute a broad assortment of L.L.Bean products. Jaytex Group, a 40-year old company, is a Canadian distributor of brand name outerwear and apparel.
Just in time for this winter, Jaytex will be the exclusive distributor of L.L.Bean’s iconic Bean Boot. In addition to Bean Boots, select L.L.Bean products will also be featured this fall at various specialty retail stores including Sporting Life, Hudson’s Bay and Mountain Equipment Co-Op.
“We’ve historically had an active and loyal customer base in Canada,” said Steve Smith, president and CEO of L.L.Bean. “Developing a true omnichannel presence including a wholesale component, as well as new brick and mortar retail stores and a dedicated Canadian website will give our Canadian customers a better overall L.L.Bean experience and make it much easier to shop in the channel that’s most conducive for them.”
In the spring of 2019, Jaytex will be providing an expanded line of L.L.Bean products to include active and rugged outerwear, footwear, accessories and more. L.L.Bean also recently launched a Canadian website https://www.llbean.ca, selling merchandise at fixed prices in Canadian dollars and communicating duties upfront, which will make shopping much more convenient for Canadian customers.
“To say we are excited to be part of the L.L.Bean family is an understatement,” said Howie Kastner, president of Jaytex Group. “We’re proud to be working with a company like L.L.Bean with such a rich history, heritage and tradition of quality products and superior customer service. These are the same core values that the foundation of Jaytex was built upon.”
In the fall of 2019, L.L.Bean’s expansion into Canada continues, as Jaytex Group anticipates opening Canada’s first L.L.Bean retail store, which will include an assortment of L.L.Bean products curated specifically for the Canadian market.
This is not L.L.Bean’s first foray into the global market. In 1992, L.L.Bean opened its first international store in Tokyo and now operates 28 stores, as well as a dedicated Japanese website, contact center and distribution center. L.L.Bean’s global website, https://global.llbean.com, serves over 200 countries and territories in their own native languages, with product prices converted into over 60 currencies, with accurate tax and duty calculations provided. Currently, L.L.Bean catalogs are mailed to over 150 countries.
L.L.Bean currently operates 43 stores in 18 states across the United States, along with 28 stores in Japan.
The Jaytex Group, founded in 1978 is a privately-owned company with a diverse portfolio of private label and lifestyle licensed brands in Canada. Partners include Eric Grundy, Howie Kastner and Leo Grunberger.
