New York City — Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company, has emerged as the successful bidder to purchase the intellectual property of Barneys New York (Barneys). Through this acquisition, which closed on November 1, ABG will enhance its luxury footprint and further establish its position as a leader in contemporary fashion.
“We are thrilled that our offer for Barneys has been accepted,” says Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of Authentic Brands Group. “Barneys is one of the most recognizable and iconic names in luxury lifestyle, and we see an incredible opportunity to extend the brand’s equity in current and new markets around the world. We are also excited to join forces with Saks Fifth Avenue, the preeminent luxury retailer that continues to bring innovation and fashion authority to the industry.”
Barneys is renowned for its discerning edit from the world’s top designers, paired with a unique shopping experience. Its signature sense of wit and style has translated into a global brand that is sought-after by a modern generation of luxury shoppers and trendsetters. Barneys’ distinctive collaborations have a proven track record of driving press, digital and social impact and millennial appeal.
ABG plans to grow Barneys’ presence as a global luxury retailer and lifestyle brand. Its initial focus will be on high fashion collaborations, namesake products, lively dining and premium shopping experiences. ABG’s marketing division will drive growth for Barneys while maintaining its elevated aesthetic through innovative creative, original content and engaging campaigns. The Barneys brand narrative will be powered by Winston, ABG’s proprietary network of creators, curators and connectors, who have a combined reach of more than 150 million followers on social media.
Following ABG’s purchase of the Barneys intellectual property, Saks Fifth Avenue (Saks) will become the retail partner for the brand in the U.S. and Canada. As the industry’s leading luxury retailer, Saks has stayed ahead of the fast-changing industry by becoming a lifestyle-centric destination with unparalleled depth in product, services, and experiences. With this licensing agreement, Saks will build upon Barneys’ legacy and evolve it for the future.
“As we further our mission to be the ultimate luxury retail destination for exploration and discovery of new fashion, we carefully select partners that can bring originality and excitement to the customer experience. Barneys’ iconic name brand has long captured the attention of fashion-seeking audiences,” says Marc Metrick, president of Saks Fifth Avenue. “As we explore opportunities for the brand as part of Saks Fifth Avenue, we are working to best understand what Barneys’ customers love about the retailer as we evolve it into a new interpretation that is relevant for today’s luxury consumer. We’re thrilled to partner with ABG, a leader in brand-building and marketing, in this endeavor.”
With this transaction, ABG has acquired Barneys New York™ and the associated intellectual property including Barneys™, FiveSeventyFive™, Connor New York™, Freds™, and Freds Foods™, The High End™, and The Drop™. ABG will selectively license the brand around the world to support the growth of the Barneys-branded merchandise program. ABG will also maintain Barneys’ current licensing agreement with Seven & i Holdings, which operates 12 Barneys retail stores in Japan. The stores will remain open.
Building off of the success of the Barneys Japan business, ABG will grow the brand’s presence in key international territories, particularly in Asia.
Headquartered in New York City, Authentic Brands Group (ABG) elevates and builds the long term value of more than 50 consumer brands and properties by partnering with best-in-class manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Its brands have a global retail footprint in more than 100,000 points of sale across the luxury, specialty, department store, mid-tier, mass and e-commerce channels and more than 4,940 freestanding stores and shop-in-shops around the world. For more information, visit www.authenticbrandsgroup.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue is a leading shopping destination for the all-channel luxury experience. The brand was founded in 1924. As part of the HBC brand portfolio, Saks operates in 43 cities across the globe. For more information, visit www.saks.com.
SOURCE: Authentic Brands Group (ABG)