Iconix Buys Out Chinese Partner

The deal was settled with $40.4 million in cash and $16 million in stock, giving brand manager Iconix full control and ownership of the Chinese company. Iconix China owns equity stakes in two joint ventures with Shanghai La Chapelle, publicly traded stocks in partner China Outfitters, equity stakes in six additional retail ventures and portfolio of 15 unplaced brands.

Iconix China was formed in September 2008

Iconix China has found success with Candie's and Marc Ecko Cut & Sew with partner Shanghai La Chapelle Fashion Co., London Fog with China Outfitters, Material Girl with Ningbo Peacebird, Ed Hardy with Landmark International, Ecko Unltd with Xi Ha Clothing, Badgley Mischka with Eve NY, Joe Boxer with Northeast Socks and Royal Velvet with Qingdao Hongfang.

The largest brand in the Iconix China joint venture is Candie's, which partnered with Shanghai La Chapelle in 2010. The Candie's business in China currently includes more than 700 stores and shop-in-shops and is poised for continued growth.

The company's business platform in China also includes three global brands–Peanuts, Umbro and Lee Cooper–which have been managed outside of the joint venture. China has been one of the fastest -growing territories in the world for the Peanuts brand where it currently has more than 2,000 points of distribution including 20 Charlie Brown Cafe's. In 2014, Iconix partnered with Global Brands Group to build out the Lee Cooper and Umbro brands in China, both of which have strong brand recognition in the region.