Authentic Announces Acquisition of Sperry

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), has purchased Sperry, an American heritage footwear brand. Through the acquisition, the ALDO Group comes on board as Sperry’s North American operating partner for wholesale, e-commerce and store operations, as well as the brand’s partner for footwear design, production and distribution globally. 

“We are excited to bring Sperry into the Authentic platform,” says Jamie Salter, chairman, chief executive officer, Authentic. “Sperry's influence extends far beyond fashion, embodying a lifestyle that celebrates exploration. We look forward to launching Sperry into a new era alongside ALDO Group, an incredible partner and leader in the footwear industry.” 

Authentic will leverage its global network of category experts and operating partners to grow Sperry’s product offerings and expand its market share around the world. In line with its playbook, the company will convert the Sperry business into a licensed model. Authentic recognizes a significant opportunity to grow Sperry’s lifestyle offerings, including rainwear, sportswear, bags and accessories, along with a particular focus on expanding its presence across the APAC region. 

“I’m thrilled to further deepen our partnership with Authentic and to announce that Sperry, an iconic casual brand we’ve long admired, is joining the ALDO Group,” says David Bensadoun, chief executive officer, The ALDO Group. “At our core, we are retailers where the direct relationship with the consumer is key. We’re looking forward to adding 23 Sperry stores to the 430 other branded stores we operate in North America, as well as welcoming Sperry’s store employees to our team. Our powerful operational structure for stores, wholesale and e-comm has been built over five decades, and we’re excited to put our deep experience to use right away elevating Sperry.”