The Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group (PLG), which owns Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite, has signed new agreements with partners in ten countries to continue the rapid international expansion of several of its brands in Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, five South American countries and the Czech Republic.
“Teaming with the right strategic partner in each market is critical to the successful international expansion of our brands, and we are thrilled today to be announcing partnerships with these leading firms to expand the brand presence of Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Keds and PRO-Keds across these important international markets,” said Gregg Ribatt, CEO of the Collective Brands PLG unit.
Through a wholesale distribution agreement for Saucony and a wholesale distribution and retail development agreement for Sperry Top-Sider, Tavistock Group Mexico will re-introduce the two brands into the Mexico market. Tavistock Group is a global company with nearly 160 business units operating in 15 countries including a broad portfolio of sports and lifestyle brands, as well as a retail store chain. Sperry Top-Sider and Saucony will be made available at premium and specialty retail locations throughout the country through the firm's leading sport brand wholesale channel.
Through a manufacturing license agreement with Lifegear Corporation, Tokyo, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, and sub-licensee Toho Lamac Co. Ltd., also headquartered in Tokyo, the two organizations will team up and design, manufacture and distribute through its wholesale partners Keds and PRO-Keds footwear products for the Japanese market.
PLG has also signed a wholesale distribution and retail development deal to introduce Sperry Top-Sider into Indonesia with MAP ACTIVE, SE — Asia's largest sports and leisure retailer, which generated more than $230 million (US) in revenue in 2011. MAP ACTIVE currently has 500 stores in its store chain and expects to have more than 1,000 stores by 2013.
Additional wholesale distribution agreements cover the first-time entrance of the PLG brands into new markets including with Swiss Sports, which will distribute Sperry and Keds in Bolivia; Motociclo Sports, which will distribute Saucony into the Uruguay market; Tecaryn will distribute Keds and Sperry in the Uruguay market; and Buzz will introduce Keds and PRO-Keds to shoppers of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Market re-entrance deals include Swiss Sports for Sperry and Keds in Chile and Peru, as well as SAV, which will represent the Saucony brand in the Argentina market.
All the deals announced today by Collective Brands' PLG unit are multi-year agreements. Additional details are not disclosed.
