Differential Brands Buys GBG

Differential Brands Group has agreed to purchase a significant portion of Global Brands Group Holding Limited, a spin-off of Li & Fung.

License Global

February 14, 2019

The transaction, valued at $1.38 billion, will be paid in cash and is subject to approval, and will give Differential a significant portion of GBG’s North American licensing business.

The deal will see Differential Brands Group, which consists of Hudson, Robert Graham and SWIMS, absorb licenses for Disney, Star Wars, Calvin Klein, Under Armour, Tommy Hilfiger, BCBG, Bebe, Joe’s, Buffalo David Bitton, Frye, Michael Kors, Cole Haan, Kenneth Cole and more.

“We are thrilled to join Differential Brands Group and lead our combined platform by leveraging our expansive infrastructure, distribution and sourcing networks to drive growth, and we look forward to working with the Differential management team and Tengram to help support the Company's growth as it capitalizes on promising market opportunities,” says Jason Rabin, president, GBG North America. “We are proud of what we have accomplished since joining Li & Fung in 2009, judiciously expanding the GBG platform and driving profitability, and thank them for their long-standing support and partnership.”

Differential

Brands Group is expected to gain $2.3 billion in pro forma annual revenue drawn from banded men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessories.

The deal is expected to close in Q3 of this year.

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