Authentic Brands Group & SPARC Group Acquire Eddie Bauer

Authentic Brands Group and ALDO Group Acquire Sperry from Wolverine World Wide

January 11, 2024

Consumer Products

Authentic Brands Group has acquired the Sperry footwear brand in a transaction that closed January 10, 2024, with the ALDO Group joining as Sperry's North American operating partner. Wolverine World Wide sold the brand for proceeds of about $130 million to strengthen its balance sheet; Authentic will convert Sperry to a licensed model while ALDO will operate Sperry's wholesale, e-commerce and store operations in North America.

JCPenney and SPARC Group Combine to Form Catalyst Brands

January 13, 2025

Retail

JCPenney and SPARC Group have merged in an all-equity joint venture to create Catalyst Brands, consolidating six retail banners including JCPenney, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica. The new Catalyst Brands — backed by shareholders Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corporation, Authentic Brands Group and Shein — launches from JCPenney’s Plano, Texas headquarters with broad omnichannel reach, approximately $9 billion of revenue, 1,800 stores and roughly 60,000 employees.

Authentic Brands Group, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Acquire Forever 21

February 19, 2020

Retail

Authentic Brands Group (ABG), Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners have completed the acquisition of fast-fashion retailer Forever 21. The new ownership group will retain Forever 21’s Los Angeles headquarters, continue store operations and eCommerce, and pursue brand revitalization, international licensing and sustainable supply-chain improvements.

Platinum Equity Acquires Augusta Sportswear Brands and Founder Sport Group

January 9, 2024

Consumer Products

Platinum Equity has acquired Augusta Sportswear Brands and Founder Sport Group, two U.S.-based suppliers of team uniforms, performance apparel and fanwear serving youth and recreational sports markets. The private transactions (terms undisclosed) will combine the complementary brand portfolios and capabilities to expand product offerings, improve supply-chain efficiency and accelerate customization technologies like sublimation printing.

Authentic Brands Group Takes GUESS? Private

January 23, 2026

Retail

Authentic Brands Group has completed a transaction to take GUESS? private, acquiring 51% of substantially all GUESS? intellectual property while existing GUESS? shareholders (the Marciano family and others) retain 49% of the IP. Current GUESS? management will own and operate the operating company and continue to run the business, with the deal intended to accelerate brand growth, category and geographic expansion through Authentic's platform.

SPUR Acquisitions Acquires Piranha Brands

April 9, 2021

Retail

SPUR Acquisitions has acquired Piranha Brands, a leading U.S. supplier of medical apparel and operator of multiple scrubs-focused e-commerce brands, from Piranha's founders/co-owners. The transaction was advised by The Forbes M+A Group; SPUR said the acquisition will support new leadership and future growth under Rob Mossman.