Collective Brands to Buy ATR - Analyst Blog

Collective Brands, Inc. (PSS), the wholesaler and retailer of footwear and related accessories, recently declared that it will acquire Above The Rim (ATR) brand from Reebok International, owned by Germany’s Adidas AG. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

The operator of Payless ShoeSource and Stride Rite chains, Collective Brands said that Collective Licensing International, will help expand the “Above The Rim" brand’s presence in the U.S. and globally. Above The Rim brand, includes footwear, apparel and accessories. 

Formed in 2004, Collective Licensing International is the brand development, management and global licensing unit of Collective Brands. Collective Licensing International, licenses a range of brands in more than 100 countries worldwide, covering categories – footwear, apparel and sporting gear and equipment such as snowboards and skateboards. 

Above The Rim brand fits well in the Collective Licensing International brand portfolio, which includes Airwalk, Vision Street Wear, Sims, Lamar and LTD, World Snowboarding Championships, Sugarboards, Carve, Genetic, Dukes, Rage, Ultra-Wheels, Hind, Spot Bilt and Skate Attack brands. The company has over 35 licensing partners worldwide. 

Headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, Collective Brands operates a retail chain of more than 4,500 stores. It sells private and branded label footwear and accessories for women, men, and children under the names, Airwalk, American Eagle, Champion, Dexter, Lela Rose for Payless, Robeez, Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Keds, and others.
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