Marquee Brands Expands Global Portfolio with Strategic Acquisition of Stance
Marquee Brands, the global brand accelerator, announced it has acquired Stance, an innovative lifestyle and performance sock brand. Founded in San Clemente, California in 2009, Stance joins the Marquee Brands portfolio, which includes globally recognized brands such as Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sir La Table, BCBG, Ben Sherman, Body Glove and Dakine. The addition of Stance brings Marquee’s portfolio to $4.5 billion in retail sales.
Marquee also announced a new partnership with United Legwear and Apparel (ULAC) to serve as Stance’s core global licensee in all regions except China. Stance is sold in 42 countries through more than 1,100 wholesale accounts in the U.S., e-commerce, international distributors and single-brand stores, and ULAC will oversee the core product categories of socks and underwear for men, women and children. In this role, ULAC will be responsible for product design, development, retail and e-commerce operations and distribution.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stance, a cultural icon known for its bold design, creativity, and collaborations with athletes, musicians, and artists, to our portfolio,” said Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands. “We look forward to building on this momentum with United Legwear, an industry leader. We see significant opportunities to accelerate our global scale and category expansion with our shared strategy of investing in brands with high equity and long-term consumer loyalty.”
Known for redefining the sock category, Stance has built a strong fan base through its premium quality, material innovation, and exceptional design. With this acquisition, Marquee Brands will fully expand into the everyday goods space and strengthen its presence across lifestyle categories. Stance’s lineup includes longstanding partnerships with the NBA, MLB, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as collaborations with renowned artists and athletes, including Billie Eilish, Dwyane Wade, and the Basquiat Estate. With strengths in material technology and development, the company is well-positioned to expand its product line into activewear, athleisure, footwear, and more.
Isaac E. Ash, CEO and President of United Legwear and Apparel (ULAC), said, “ULAC has a history of partnering with brands that strive for innovation and inspiration. Stance is a pioneering brand that perfectly aligns with that philosophy, elevating everyday objects into expressions of style through bold design, cultural storytelling and a community of athletes and artists. ULAC looks forward to building on that legacy with Marquee Brands.”
Backed by longtime sponsor Neuberger Berman, Marquee Brands continues to expand its platform by applying a proven business model of investing in global brands that drive consumer loyalty, delivering operational excellence, expansion in key categories and creating long-term value across markets.
RBC Capital Markets served as financial advisor and Greenberg Treurig served as legal advisor to Marquee Brands. Salomon Partners served as financial advisor and Jones Day served as legal advisor to Stance.
About Marquee Brands
Marquee Brands is a brand accelerator that unlocks the value of timeless brands and builds their global impact. Focused on cultivating growth and sustainable brand equity, Marquee Brands works closely with best-in-class manufacturers, operators, retailers, and distributors to scale brands across markets and channels. Marquee Brands’ global portfolio spans three platforms: Home & Cooking, Fashion & Lifestyle, and Expressive Luxury/Active & Outdoor. Brands include Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sir La Table, Emeril Lagasse, America’s Test Kitchen, BCBGMAXAZRIA, BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Anti Social Social Club, Totes, Isotoner, Destination Maternity, Motherhood, A Pee in the Pod, Stance, Dakine, and Body Glove. For more information, visit www.marqueebrands.com .
United Legwear and Apparel (ULAC)
ULAC (ULAC.com) is a New York-based global designer and distributor of apparel, legwear, bodywear, and accessories. Founded in 1998 by Isaac E. Ash, ULAC has distribution partnerships with Scotch & Soda, Hurley, and Ted Baker, and is a licensee of major brands including Puma, Skechers, Van Heusen, DKNY, Levi’s, Champion, Prince, Arrow, and Weatherproof. ULAC also owns the Pro Player and Lemon brands and develops private labels for major retailers around the world.
Driven by a commitment to quality, value and innovation, ULAC offers exceptional products from conception to delivery, and operates with a forward-thinking approach to meet the needs of global consumers.
About Stance
Founded in San Clemente, California in 2009, Stance is a lifestyle brand that has redefined the sock and apparel industry through creativity, self-expression, and premium design. Characterized by a bold aesthetic, innovative materials, and exquisite craftsmanship, Stance transforms everyday items into a canvas for individual expression. Offering a wide range of products from performance gear to casual basics, Stance partners with global athletes, artists, and cultural icons to offer products that celebrate individuality and inspire confidence. Stance products are sold in specialty stores, major department stores, and through channels worldwide, including the official online store ( www.stance.com ).
The official version of this press release is the original language version. Translated versions are provided for the convenience of readers and have no legal effect. When using translated versions as reference material, please refer to the original language version, which is the only legally effective version.
Source link:https://www.businesswire.com/
