Tag: Aeropostale

  • Gordon Brothers acquires Bench brand

    Gordon Brothers acquires Bench brand

    US-based investment company Gordon Brothers has bought troubled UK fashion label Bench and all its related IP assets.

    Gordon Brothers has an established history of reinvigorating wounded fashion labels and retailers. It was a partner in the joint venture that bought Aeropostale out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US several years back, and it relaunched the Wet Seal brand as an e-commerce business.

    Bench has about 80 single-brand stores in Europe and North America and more than 2000 wholesale points of sale. The company recently commenced insolvency proceedings in the UK, which subsequently affected its German service companies in Munich.

    In a statement announcing the deal, Ramez Toubassy, president of Gordon Brothers’ brands division, said: “Streetwear has never been hotter than it is today. We are excited to be able to acquire an authentic pioneer in the category and bring our thoroughly modern branding, marketing and business model to bear in reestablishing Bench as a streetwear powerhouse.”

    The new owner says it will focus on “re-establishing the brand’s European e-commerce presence while it methodically re-builds the business’ wholesale footprint in that territory”.

    In North America, Gordon Brothers will continue the brand’s long-standing partnership with Freemark Apparel Brands Group.

  • Aeropostale unveils more expansion in Asia and EMEA region

    Aeropostale unveils more expansion in Asia and EMEA region

    Aeropostale, Inc., an American mall-based specialty retailer of casual apparel for young women and men, has announced additional expansion plans in Asia and the EMEA region. Through two new licensing agreements, Aeropostale will launch in Thailand and Egypt over the next five years, it said in a press release.

    Julian R. Geiger, CEO of Aeropostale, said, “Aeropostale’s international expansion began in Asia and the Middle East and it is with great pleasure that we announce further expansion across these key regions. Thailand and Egypt will be important markets as we continue to expand globally across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. We are confident that our partnerships with Robinson Department Store and Q and A Retail Company will ensure that the Aeropostale brand will continue to thrive and prosper internationally.”

    The company has signed a licensing agreement with Robinson Department Store Public Company Limited to open approximately 40 standalone and shop-in-shop locations over the next five years in Thailand. The first Aeropostale location in Thailand will open in the Robinson Department Store in Sriracha.

    Paresh Chauhan, Executive Vice President of International Brands at Robinson Department Store, said, “Robinson Department Store is very excited to bring Aeropostale to the Thailand market place, with the brand’s strong combination of trend-right merchandise at compelling prices. We hope to emulate Aeropostale’s success and be the leaders in teen fashion in our market.”

    Aeropostale has also signed a licensing agreement with Q and A Retail Company to open approximately 10 standalone stores over the next five years in Egypt.

    “We are eager to partner with Aeropostale to bring this iconic brand to North Africa for the first time. We are confident that the strength of the Aeropostale brand will resonate with the consumers of Egypt and we look forward to continuing our expansion throughout the region over the next several years,” said Ayman Seoudy, Director of Q&A Retail Company.

    Aeropostale’s expansion plans in Thailand and Egypt are planned to begin in early 2016, the release said. (SH)

  • Aeropostale chooses India over China for growth

    Aeropostale chooses India over China for growth

    Aeropostale, an American mall-based fashion retailer for young men and women, is eyeing revenues of around Rs 500 crore from the Indian market in the next four years. The teen retailer launched its first store in the Capital in partnership with textile major Arvind and said India would be among its top three markets within that time period.

    Aeropostale has been grappling with diminishing sales in its largest market, the US, where it operates around 800 stores. It has been facing stiff completion from fast-fashion stores such as, H&M and Forever 21. Since then, it has taken the licensing route to expand into other markets. Interestingly , the brand has chosen India over China.

    “India will become one of our most important markets.China is overcrowded with foreign brands at the moment.Latin America, which brings us revenues of around $100 million, is our second-largest market after the US,” Kenneth Ohashi, senior VP, international and global licensing at Aeropostale, told TOI.

  • Aeropostale inks licensing deals in Thailand

    Aeropostale inks licensing deals in Thailand

    US casual apparel retailer Aeropostale has signed two licensing deals that will see it expand in the Asia and the EMEA region, opening stores in Thailand and Egypt over the next five years.

    Through its deal with Robinson Department Store Public Company, Aeropostale plans to open 40 standalone and shop-in-shop locations in Thailand. The first will open in the Robinson Department Store in Sriracha.

    In Egypt, Aeropostale has signed a licensing agreement with Q and A Retail Company to open 40 standalone stores over the next five years.

    Aeropostale’s expansion plans in both locations are due to begin in early 2016.

    “Aeropostale’s international expansion began in Asia and the Middle East and it is with great pleasure that we announce further expansion across these key regions,” said CEO Julian Geiger. “Thailand and Egypt will be important markets as we continue to expand globally across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. We are confident that our partnerships with Robinson Department Store and Q and A Retail Company will ensure that the Aeropostale brand will continue to thrive and prosper internationally.”

  • Aeropostale to enter India, Indonesia

    Aeropostale to enter India, Indonesia

    US mall-based youth fashion discounter Aeropostale has announced new partnerships in India and Indonesia.

    The company will open stores in India through a licensing agreement with Arvind Lifestyle Brands Limited, and in Indonesia through a licensing agreement with PT Mitra Adiperkasa TBK (MAP).

    Julian R. Geiger, Aeropostale CEO, said India and Indonesia are two of the most populated countries in the world and his company sees significant opportunities by taking the Aeropostale brand to them both.

    “Following the successful launch of our brand in the Philippines and Singapore, we are excited to capitalise on the strong growth prospects in both India and Indonesia. We are totally comfortable partnering with two of the largest and strongest retailers in their respectful regions, Arvind Lifestyle Brands Limited and MAP.”

    Aeropostale’s expansion plans in India include the opening of 50 standalone stores, 150 concessions and eCommerce operations across the country over the five years, from March 2016.

    The company expects to open 10 to 12 standalone stores in Indonesia over the next five years, with its first store opening in Jakarta in Fall 2016.

    Continued Geiger: “We anticipate ending the year with over 300 locations across 17 countries. Our aggressive international growth underscores the strength and recognition of the Aeropostale brand, and we look forward to announcing new global licensing partnerships throughout the year.”

    Aeropostale  principally targets males and females aged 14 to 17 and four to 12 year-olds through its P.S. from Aeropostale stores and website.

    Arvind Lifestyle Brands has licensing relationships with many international brands including Gap, TCP, Gant, Nautica, Arrow, Izod, US Polo Association, Elle, Ed Hardy, Hanes, Cherokee and Geoffrey Beene.

    PT Mitra Adiperkasa TBK  is a leading lifestyle retailer in Indonesia with over 1800 retail stores and a diversified portfolio that includes Starbucks, Zara, Marks & Spencer, Sogo, Seibu, Debenhams, Oshkosh B’ Gosh and Reebok.