O'Neill Announces Japanese Apparel Licensee
A new licensing deal will propel heritage surf brand O’Neill into Japan later this year.
O’Neill has partnered with Japanese licensing company Itochu Corp. to develop men’s and women’s apparel, swimwear and accessories for the Japanese market. Nikki, a Japanese action-sports company, has been contracted as a sub-licensee and will be responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of the new O’Neill branded products in Japan.
The first collection is set to launch in stores December 2010 and will include select outerwear jackets and pants from O’Neill snowboarder Jeremy Jones’ global outerwear line.
As part of the licensing deal, Itochu also plans to open two O’Neill retail stores in 2011 and expects to grow the chain to include 15 retail stores by 2015.—Erin Barajas
