Under this agreement, Gardiners will become the official distributor for Sperry's men's and women's footwear across the UK and Ireland.
Gardiners, with headquarters in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, UK, is a footwear and apparel distributor in the UK. It operates from over 230,000ft2 warehouse facilities.
ABG EMEIA lifestyle & entertainment president Henry Stupp said: “We’re proud to partner with Gardiners to introduce more consumers to Sperry’s storied heritage. With their deep expertise in distribution and strong retail relationships, Gardiner is the ideal partner to accelerate Sperry’s growth in these key markets, bringing signature styles, like the iconic original boat shoe, to a new generation of consumers.”
Sperry’s reintroduction in the UK comes after ABG acquired the brand from Wolverine Worldwide, in January of the previous year.
The brand's product offerings, including the boat shoe and new seasonal collections will be available through select retailers and online platforms.
Gardiner Bros. chief product officer Ben Gardiner said: “We’re excited to partner with Authentic on Sperry, the original and iconic boat shoe brand. Boat shoes are having a real resurgence, and we look forward to reintroducing timeless silhouettes alongside fresh new styles to customers in the UK and Ireland.”
Gardiner Bros. brand marketing head Emma Jefferies said: “With its rich history and growing cultural relevance, Sperry is a strong addition to our portfolio, and we’re excited to build on its success in these markets.”
In North America, ALDO serves as Sperry’s operational partner for wholesale, e-commerce, and store operations. ALDO collaborates with Sperry on global footwear design, production, and distribution efforts.
Sperry is a classic US footwear brand founded by sailor, inventor and explorer Paul Sperry in 1935.
