LA Group Announces Licensing Agreement With Authentic Brands Group for Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA and a full Portfolio of World Famous Surf-Inspired Brands
LA Group announced today its first license agreement with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), a global brand development, marketing and entertainment platform, to distribute men’s, women’s and kids apparel for the world’s leading portfolio of surf-inspired lifestyle brands including Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element and VonZipper across South Africa and southern Africa including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and Zambia amongst others. Leveraging their expertise in brand management, distribution and retail, the LA Group takes on the operation of more than 32 freestanding retail stores in the region bearing the names of these globally renowned brands.
Combining their operational expertise with a focus on brand building and marketing, LA Group will capture the unique and youthful spirit of each brand to accelerate category growth and enhanced customer distribution across all wholesale channels in the region. Product categories will include sportswear, activewear, and swimwear for men, women and kids with future opportunities for expanded offerings in outdoor, surf, and skate apparel.
“We are thrilled to partner with Authentic and work together to revitalize these amazing lifestyle brands within the region. Quiksilver, Billabong, RVCA and Roxy have been at the forefront of the action sports and lifestyle industry for decades and we feel there is tremendous runway for growth,” said Riyadh Peer, Executive Director at LA Group. “LA Group are leaders in brand management, distribution and retail and we are strategically positioned to operate and grow these brands by offering great products while enhancing the consumer experience.”
“We are proud to partner with LA Group on this storied portfolio of brands which uniquely embody a surf inspired lifestyle,” said Henry Stupp, President EMEA and India, Authentic. “Reigniting the brands in South Africa is an important focus for Authentic and we are thrilled that LA Group will strategically position these iconic brands for growth.”
The first delivery under the partnership will launch in Summer 2024.
LA Group - About Us
LA Group (Pty) Ltd is a company established in South Africa four decades ago, with interests in brand management, distribution, manufacturing and retail. LA Group’s product set and expertise centers on apparel, footwear and accessories under various international and local brands. It is the exclusive distributor and brand partner to several global brands in sub-Saharan Africa, including Converse, Nike, Levi’s, Dickies and Jordan. Its distribution network services several thousand doors and retail touch points across the region. The retail division comprises of both free standing and online stores for the Group's major retail brands, including Mango, Converse, Rookie and Polo. With strong local expertise, experience and an extensive footprint, we are the ideal partner for global brands in sub-Saharan Africa.
About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand development, marketing and entertainment platform, which owns a portfolio of more than 50 iconic and world-renowned Lifestyle, Entertainment and Media brands. Headquartered in New York City, with offices around the world, Authentic connects strong brands with best-in-class partners and a global network of operators, distributors and retailers to build long-term value in the marketplace. Its brands generate more than $29 billion in global annual retail sales and have an expansive retail footprint in 150 countries, including 13,100-plus freestanding stores and shop-in-shops and 370,000 points of sale.
Authentic is committed to transforming brands by delivering powerful storytelling, compelling content, innovative business models and immersive experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms and emerging media. Authentic’s brand portfolio includes Marilyn Monroe®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O’Neal®, David Beckham®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Sports Illustrated®, Reebok®, Brooks Brothers®, Barneys New York®, Judith Leiber®, Ted Baker®, Hunter®, Vince®, Hervé Léger®, Hickey Freeman®, Frye®, Nautica®, Juicy Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Lucky Brand®, Aéropostale®, Forever 21®, Nine West®, Rockport®, Eddie Bauer®, Boardriders®*, Quiksilver®*, Billabong®*, Roxy®*, DC Shoes®*, RVCA®*, Element®*, VonZipper®*, Honolua®*, Spyder®, Volcom®, Shark®, Tretorn®, Prince®, Airwalk®, Izod®, Jones New York®, Van Heusen®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Arrow® and Thomasville®.
For more information, visit corporate.authentic.com.
