Aero OpCo To Partner With ABG On Nautica Brand Operations

NEW YORK, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aero OpCo LLC, the operating partner for Aéropostale®, today announced that Authentic Brands Group, LLC (ABG) which has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Nautica® brand from VF Corporation, has appointed the company as the core licensee and operating partner for Nautica.

"Building on our success with Aéropostale, we are excited to be partnering with ABG to maximize the potential of the Nautica business," said Marc Miller, CEO of Aero OpCo. "Nautica is an iconic American lifestyle brand, with significant global presence and customer reach. This partnership marks the next phase in Aero OpCo's growth as it will leverage the company's product development, sourcing, retail and ecommerce expertise, while further strengthening our capabilities in multichannel distribution. We look forward to integrating Nautica into our operations."

Aero OpCo currently manages operations for the Aéropostale brand, a profitable multichannel retailer with over 500 locations in the U.S., as well as a growing ecommerce business. Combined with the Nautica business, Aero OpCo will operate over 580 retail locations, a strong wholesale business with thousands of points of sale in the U.S., and the ecommerce platforms for both brands. The full operation is expected to generate revenues in excess of $1.2 billion in North America.

"Aero OpCo has been an incredible partner to ABG for Aéropostale," said Jamie Salter, Chairman & CEO of ABG. "We are looking forward to working with them to continue the success of this respected brand."

The transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2018, is subject to standard customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

About Aero OpCo LLC
Aero OpCo is an operating partner to global brands, providing retail and ecommerce management, sourcing, design and other operational and administrative support. It currently manages Aéropostale, a retailer with over 500 stores in the US as well as a growing ecommerce business. Aero OpCo is owned by an investment group that includes Simon Property Group, General Growth Properties and Authentic Brands Group.

About Authentic Brands Group, LLC
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is a brand development, marketing and entertainment company, which owns a global portfolio of celebrity & entertainment and lifestyle brands. Headquartered in New York City, ABG manages, elevates, and builds the long-term value of more than 30 consumer brands by partnering with best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Our brands span a global retail footprint of more than 2,300 doors across luxury, specialty, department stores, shop-in-shops, ecommerce, mid-tier, and mass channels. 

ABG is committed to transforming brands by delivering compelling product, content, business, and immersive brand experiences. We create and activate original marketing strategies to drive the success of our brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms, and emerging media. ABG's global portfolio of iconic and world-renowned brands includes Marilyn Monroe®, Elvis Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O'Neal®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Michael Jackson® (managed brand), Aéropostale®, Juicy Couture®, Jones New York®, Herve Leger®, Judith Leiber®, Frederick's of Hollywood®, Frye®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Taryn Rose®, Misook®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Spyder®, Tretorn®, Tapout®, Prince®, Airwalk®, Vision Street Wear®, Above The Rim®, and Hind®. abg-nyc.com

SOURCE Aero OpCo LLC