G-III Apparel Group and the ALDO Group Announce Licensing Agreement for G.H.BASS Footwear, Bags and Small Leather Goods
G-III Apparel Group (GIII) and ALDO Product Services have entered into a seven-year exclusive licensing agreement for the G.H.BASS brand. Under this strategic partnership, ALDO will design, manufacture, distribute, market, and sell G.H.BASS footwear, bags, and small leather goods across North America.
The agreement includes management of the ghbass.com e-commerce platform, with the first collection set to launch for Spring/Summer 2026. ALDO will leverage its global supply chain, manufacturing expertise, wholesale partnerships, and direct-to-consumer digital networks to expand G.H.BASS's market presence.
The collaboration aims to blend G.H.BASS's 150-year heritage in craftsmanship with innovative designs to attract new consumers, focusing on elevated essentials that combine heritage, quality, and modern design.
G-III Apparel Group (GIII) e ALDO Product Services hanno stipulato un accordo di licenza esclusiva di sette anni per il marchio G.H.BASS. Sotto questa partnership strategica, ALDO progetterà, produrrà, distribuisce, commercializzerà e venderà calzature, borse e piccoli articoli in pelle G.H.BASS in Nord America.
L'accordo include la gestione della piattaforma e-commerce ghbass.com, con la prima collezione prevista per il lancio nella primavera/estate 2026. ALDO sfrutterà la sua catena di approvvigionamento globale, l'esperienza nella produzione, le partnership all'ingrosso e le reti digitali dirette al consumatore per espandere la presenza di G.H.BASS sul mercato.
La collaborazione mira a fondere il patrimonio di 150 anni di artigianato di G.H.BASS con design innovativi per attrarre nuovi consumatori, concentrandosi su essenziali elevate che combinano tradizione, qualità e design moderno.
G-III Apparel Group (GIII) y ALDO Product Services han firmado un acuerdo de licencia exclusivo por siete años para la marca G.H.BASS. Bajo esta asociación estratégica, ALDO diseñará, fabricará, distribuirá, comercializará y venderá calzado, bolsos y pequeños artículos de cuero G.H.BASS en América del Norte.
El acuerdo incluye la gestión de la plataforma de comercio electrónico ghbass.com, con la primera colección programada para lanzarse en primavera/verano de 2026. ALDO aprovechará su cadena de suministro global, experiencia en fabricación, asociaciones mayoristas y redes digitales directas al consumidor para expandir la presencia de G.H.BASS en el mercado.
La colaboración tiene como objetivo fusionar los 150 años de herencia en artesanía de G.H.BASS con diseños innovadores para atraer a nuevos consumidores, enfocándose en esenciales elevadas que combinan herencia, calidad y diseño moderno.
G-III Apparel Group (GIII)와 ALDO Product Services가 G.H.BASS 브랜드에 대한 7년 독점 라이센스 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 전략적 파트너십에 따라 ALDO는 G.H.BASS의 신발, 가방 및 소형 가죽 제품을 북미에서 설계, 제조, 유통, 마케팅 및 판매할 것입니다.
계약에는 ghbass.com 전자상거래 플랫폼 관리가 포함되어 있으며, 첫 번째 컬렉션은 2026년 봄/여름에 출시될 예정입니다. ALDO는 글로벌 공급망, 제조 전문성, 도매 파트너십 및 소비자 직접 디지털 네트워크를 활용하여 G.H.BASS의 시장 존재감을 확장할 것입니다.
이 협력은 G.H.BASS의 150년 전통의 장인정신과 혁신적인 디자인을 결합하여 새로운 소비자를 유치하는 것을 목표로 하며, 전통, 품질 및 현대적 디자인이 결합된 고급 필수품에 중점을 두고 있습니다.
G-III Apparel Group (GIII) et ALDO Product Services ont conclu un accord de licence exclusif de sept ans pour la marque G.H.BASS. Dans le cadre de ce partenariat stratégique, ALDO concevra, fabriquera, distribuera, commercialisera et vendra des chaussures, des sacs et de petits articles en cuir G.H.BASS en Amérique du Nord.
L'accord comprend la gestion de la plateforme de commerce électronique ghbass.com, avec le lancement de la première collection prévu pour le printemps/été 2026. ALDO tirera parti de sa chaîne d'approvisionnement mondiale, de son expertise en fabrication, de ses partenariats de gros et de ses réseaux numériques directs aux consommateurs pour étendre la présence de G.H.BASS sur le marché.
La collaboration vise à allier le patrimoine de 150 ans d'artisanat de G.H.BASS à des designs innovants pour attirer de nouveaux consommateurs, en se concentrant sur des essentiels de qualité supérieure qui allient héritage, qualité et design moderne.
G-III Apparel Group (GIII) und ALDO Product Services haben eine siebenjährige exklusive Lizenzvereinbarung für die Marke G.H.BASS getroffen. Im Rahmen dieser strategischen Partnerschaft wird ALDO G.H.BASS-Schuhe, Taschen und kleine Lederwaren in Nordamerika entwerfen, herstellen, vertreiben, vermarkten und verkaufen.
Die Vereinbarung umfasst die Verwaltung der E-Commerce-Plattform ghbass.com, wobei die erste Kollektion für den Frühling/Sommer 2026 geplant ist. ALDO wird seine globale Lieferkette, Fertigungskompetenz, Großhandelspartnerschaften und digitale Netzwerke direkt an Verbraucher nutzen, um die Marktpräsenz von G.H.BASS zu erweitern.
Die Zusammenarbeit zielt darauf ab, das 150-jährige Erbe von G.H.BASS in der Handwerkskunst mit innovativen Designs zu verbinden, um neue Verbraucher anzuziehen, wobei der Fokus auf hochwertigen Essentials liegt, die Tradition, Qualität und modernes Design vereinen.
- Strategic expansion of G.H.BASS brand through ALDO's established distribution network
- Access to ALDO's global supply chain and manufacturing expertise
- Enhanced omnichannel presence through e-commerce and retail integration
- Potential for market growth through new product development and innovation
- Long wait time until Spring/Summer 2026 for collection launch
- Geographic limitation to North America market only
Insights
This seven-year exclusive licensing agreement between G-III and ALDO represents a strategic brand extension play that leverages complementary strengths of both companies. G-III gains access to ALDO's specialized footwear manufacturing capabilities and distribution network without requiring capital investment in these areas, while maintaining ownership of the G.H.BASS brand legacy.
The partnership encompasses complete brand management, from design through distribution, including control of the e-commerce platform. This suggests G-III is taking an asset-light approach to this heritage brand, potentially allowing them to concentrate resources on their core apparel businesses while still capturing licensing revenue from G.H.BASS.
ALDO brings critical competitive advantages to this partnership - particularly their global sourcing network and manufacturing agility - attributes increasingly valuable in today's challenging retail environment. Their expertise in footwear development and omnichannel distribution should strengthen G.H.BASS's market presence.
The Spring/Summer 2026 launch timeframe provides adequate runway for product development and go-to-market planning, though it also means investors won't see material financial impact from this deal in the near term. The North American distribution focus indicates a targeted revival strategy for this nearly 150-year-old American heritage brand.
While financial terms remain undisclosed, this licensing agreement carries several positive implications for G-III's business model. By outsourcing G.H.BASS footwear operations to a specialized partner, G-III effectively converts what was likely a capital-intensive, lower-margin business segment into a potentially higher-margin licensing revenue stream.
The seven-year term provides stable, predictable licensing income through 2033, reducing operational complexity while maintaining brand ownership. This represents efficient portfolio management - allowing G-III to focus internal resources on higher-performing apparel brands while extracting value from G.H.BASS through partnership.
The absence of upfront investment requirements preserves capital for other strategic priorities. While the agreement likely includes minimum guarantees or performance-based royalties (standard in such arrangements), the lack of disclosure prevents quantifying the revenue impact.
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NEW YORK and MONTREAL, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIII) and ALDO Product Services (APS), a division of the ALDO Group, today announced a new strategic licensing agreement for the iconic G.H.BASS brand. Under this agreement, APS will design, manufacture, distribute, market and sell G.H.BASS footwear, bags, and small leather goods, reinforcing the brand’s legacy in craftsmanship and timeless style.
The seven-year exclusive licensing agreement gives the ALDO Group the rights to distribute G.H.BASS products across authorized retail channels in North America. This partnership includes the management of the e-commerce platform, ghbass.com and will debut for the Spring/Summer 2026 season. The collection will showcase meticulously curated iconic pieces that draw inspiration from the rich heritage of G.H.BASS, while featuring innovative, brand-coded designs aimed at captivating a new generation of consumers.
Jeffrey Goldfarb, EVP at G-III Apparel Group, stated, "We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with ALDO Product Services, which will extend the reach of our globally recognized and iconic brand, G.H.BASS, to a broader consumer base. ALDO's expertise in footwear, along with their extensive supplier network and proven omnichannel capabilities, will strengthen the presence of G.H.BASS by offering an expanded range of products both online and in-store.”
“This partnership is about more than strategy — it’s about vision,” says Jonathan Frankel, President, ALDO Product Services. “In the face of evolving market conditions, this is not the time to slow down. There has never been a more compelling moment to unlock the full potential of an iconic American heritage brand. For nearly 150 years, G.H.BASS has built a remarkable reputation for impeccably crafted footwear. With this bold step forward, we are harnessing ALDO Product Services’ diversified global sourcing network and manufacturing agility — competitive advantages that are more critical now than ever. Combined with our deep design expertise, we’re fueling the next chapter of growth with a focus on effortless style and everyday luxury — delivering elevated essentials that blend heritage, quality, and modern design.”
ALDO Product Services will leverage its extensive global supply chain, manufacturing expertise, wholesale partnerships, and direct-to consumer digital networks to further elevate G.H.BASS’s presence in the market. This agreement serves to further solidify the ALDO Group's long-standing position as a leader in the footwear and accessories industry, curator of world class brands, and building on its continued success and commitment to innovation and excellence.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Priya Trivedi
SVP, Investor Relations
Priya.Trivedi@g-iii.com
Edina Sultanik
Director, Public Relations
ESultanik@aldogroup.com
About G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.
G-III Apparel Group, Ltd., a global leader in fashion with expertise in design, sourcing and marketing, owns and licenses a portfolio of over 30 preeminent brands. The Company is differentiated across unique brand propositions, product categories and consumer touch points. G-III owns ten iconic brands including DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld, Donna Karan and Vilebrequin, and licenses over 20 brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Halston, Converse, BCBG and National Sports leagues, among others. To learn more, visit www.giii.com.
ABOUT G.H.BASS
Established in 1876 by George Henry Bass of Wilton, Maine, G.H. BASS began with a man on a simple mission - "to make the best possible shoe for the purpose for which it will be used." Mixing the best materials with the best people, he paved a path of progress with patience, and G.H.BASS soon made tracks all over the map. Since being acquired by G-Ill in 2013, the brand is more in demand than ever as it continues to find new ways to marry the timeless with today.
About ALDO Product Services
ALDO Product Services (APS) is a division of the ALDO Group dedicated to providing strategic product and brand development, wholesale and licensing services in the fashion footwear and accessories space. Through its work with a select group of global retailers, APS creates and develops brands including Sperry, Roxy, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker, and Hunter bags by offering all the tools and resources to help companies succeed, from direct sourcing, product design and development to branding, marketing and distribution. The ALDO Group, founded in 1972, is one of the world's leading fashion retailers, operating over 1500 retail stores in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.aldogroup.com.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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FAQ
When will the new G.H.BASS collection under ALDO launch?
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