3rd May 2006 14:37
Marchpole Holdings PLC03 May 2006 Marchpole Holdings plc ("Marchpole" or "the Group") Major new licence agreement Marchpole Holdings plc, the fast growing fashion brand management group, ispleased to announce that it has today signed a new licensing agreement with theglobal childrenswear retailer OKAIDI Group through its subsidiary, Jean Charlesde Castelbajac ("JCC"). Under the terms of the licence, initially for three years, JCC will receiveroyalties on all retail sales. Additionally, the licence is safeguarded byminimum guarantees and promotional spend. Under the contract, Marchpole's JCC operation in Paris will design, produce andsell children's clothes under the JCC brand name ("Jean-Charles de Castelbajacfor Okaidi"). The high-quality collections will include a full range ofchildren's clothing and accessories and the first collection is due to belaunched in Autumn/Winter 2006. The collections will be sold in all 450 Okaidistores worldwide and there will be three to four collections a year. In the UK,the brand is sold in 21 Mothercare stores and a flagship store in Milton Keynes. The agreement represents further development for Castelbajac, followingMarchpole's acquisition of the brand in 2004. The licence income fromCastelbajac has already seen significant growth (from €250, 000 in 2004). Michael Morris, Executive Deputy Chairman of Marchpole, said: "We are delightedto have secured this licence. The childrenswear market is an area that offersconsiderable opportunity for growth and will significantly enhance globalrecognition of the JCC brand. We believe this is a further step towardsMarchpole's evolution from a single brand, single country business to adiversified multi-brand international business with strong growth potential.This agreement follows our acquisition of Moda America earlier this year, and weshall continue to pursue other earnings-enhancing licensing opportunities." - ends - For further information David Rydell/Emma Kent/Alex WaltonBell Pottinger Corporate & Financial 0207 861 3232 John Harrison, Finance Director, Marchpole 020 7908 7777 Notes to Editors OKAIDI Group • Okaidi is a privately-owned international clothing retailer, specialising in clothes for children between 0 and 14 years of age • It has 450 stores in 46 countries and is headquartered in France • Okaidi was spun off from the Camaieu Group in 1996 with the Okaidi brand officially launched in 2000. Since then, the company has become a prominent player in the international children's wear market • In 2005, the company had an approximate turnover of €300m Marchpole Holdings plc • Marchpole Holdings plc ("Marchpole") is an international brand management group that designs, produces and sells clothing and accessories for six globally recognised fashion labels. It operates in all of the world's main markets - UK, mainland Europe, Asia and the USA • Its respected brands include YSL, Boateng, Emmanuel Ungaro, Ungaro, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac ("JCC") and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac / Rossignol • Incorporated in 1973, Marchpole listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1997 and has the ticker symbol MPH • Marchpole is renowned for its integrated approach to brand management, taking a brand from concept to design studio to the customer interface. It is not a clothing manufacturer • The Group has grown considerably in the past 3 years, from a licensee with one core license (YSL menswear) - to today's international business that manages its brands across a multitude of clothing lines and accessories • Marchpole's most recent acquisition (March 2006) of Moda America - the US licensee for leading designer Emanuel Ungaro - brings further growth opportunities in the UK and America and strengthens the company's relationship with Ungaro • The acquisition also allows the company to launch the Ungaro brand, already established by Marchpole in Europe and Asia, into the US, Canada and South America. The acquisition also allows the company to re-launch JCC into America with effect from autumn/winter 2006 • Marchpole will launch the diffusion Ungaro Homme collection in the UK from Spring/Summer 2007 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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