ABG PICKS LICENSEE FOR REEBOK IN THE CHINA REGION

Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which is set to formally acquire Reebok from Adidas for $2.5 billion in Q1 of this year, has signed a core licensee and operator for Reebok in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

The partner is Tristate Holdings Limited, which currently operates ABG-owned brands Nautica and Spyder in the region. The license includes footwear for men, women and kids as well as sportswear, outerwear and activewear for men, women and kids.

“We are thrilled to build on our longstanding relationship with ABG,” said Peter Wang, Chairman and CEO of Tristate, in a statement. “Reebok is a highly sought-after brand, and we are confident in its direction under ABG’s ownership and strategic development worldwide. We look forward to bringing Reebok, a brand with incredible heritage and strength, into our 35-plus years’ experience of managing premium brands in the region.”

“Having worked together for several years, we have established a trusted relationship with Tristate and are thrilled to continue our joint success as they take on the role of Reebok operator within Greater China,” added Jamie Salter, founder and Chairman of ABG. “Securing an expert operating partner in the region has been a strategic focus in order to solidify the brand’s position within this crucial market.”

Tristate joins the other six partners ABG has recently signed to handle the brand. They include SPARC Group (US operating partner and new home of RDG), Accent Group (Australia and New Zealand), Falic Group (Latin America, excluding Mexico, Brazil and Argentina), MGS (Israel), ABFRL (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) and JD Sports (retail partnership in North America and Europe).