Double Tap to Zoom

Womenswear retailer Aritzia Inc. is looking to break into the menswear market by purchasing a majority stake in athletic brand Reigning Champ.

Announced Monday, the deal sees Aritzia acquire 75 percent of Reigning Champ, valuing the company at $63-million. Despite owning a majority of shares, Aritzia doesn't seem to want to change much about the streetwear company, however it will open new Reigning Champ stores in New York, and expand its e-commerce and wholesale business.

“Reigning Champ’s position in the men’s landscape is different from Aritzia’s position in the women’s landscape,” Aritzia chief executive officer Brian Hill told The Globe and Mail. “Reigning Champ is a little higher-priced, it’s a little more scarce. We’re going to make sure that that positioning is held in the marketplace.”

The current Reigning Champ team, including  co-founder and CEO Craig Atkinson, co-founder and vice-president of manufacturing Chris Nordee will stay at the company for approximately five years. The last 25 percent of shares will be held by Reigning Champ’s management, before being handed over to Aritzia in three instalments, happening between 2024 and 2026.

 

We Recommend
  • Muted is the New Monogram with Reigning Champ x Supima
  • 20 Best Canadian Brands Every Highsnobiety Reader Should Know
  • Reigning Champ Taps Jide Osifeso for a New Modern Uniform
  • This District Vision Collab Is a Bonafide (Reigning) Champ
What To Read Next
  • This Summer-Ready adidas Pack Is Full of Literal Basket Cases. The Good Kind
  • Engineered Garments’ Improved Vans Slip-On Is (Almost) the Same (EXCLUSIVE)
  • adidas' Textured Mary Jane Ballet Sneaker Is the Most Artful of Them All
  • For the First Time, BEAMS Made an Ultra-Rare Arc’teryx Jacket for Everyone
  • This On Sneaker Is Exactly What Your Spring Rotation Has Been Crying Out For
  • This Exquisite Leather adidas Ballet Sneaker’s Got Next