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Authentic Brands has expanded its portfolio further into shoes with the acquisition of the well known brand, Rockport. Shoshy Ciment reports in Footwear News:

Authentic Brands Groupย has scooped upย Rockport, adding another heritage shoe brand to its growing portfolio.

The company behind dozens ofย brand and retailer acquisitionsย announced on Wednesday that the U.S.ย Bankruptcyย Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale transaction of Rockport, a Newton, Massachusetts-based footwear label. Rockport said in June that it filed forย Chapter 11 bankruptcyย and would put itself up for sale. At the time, the brand said this move was to help it โ€œreview and restructureโ€ its assets for the benefit of all stakeholders and to better position it for future growth opportunities.

As of late last month, Authentic had emerged as theย stalking horse bidderย for Rockport, according to a report in WWD. Terms of the bid were not disclosed, but WWD reported that Authentic said it would need to be reimbursed $1 million for expenses related to the deal if it did not go through, as well as a $1.6 million break-up fee.

The acquisition reunites Rockport with Reebok, the brandโ€™s former parent company that wasย acquired by Authenticย in 2022. Reebok acquired Rockport in 1986 and sold it in 2015.

In a statement, Authentic CEO, founder and chairman Jamie Salter said thatย Rockportย is a โ€œperfect additionโ€ to the companyโ€™s portfolio, given the brandโ€™s resonance with active consumers. He noted Rockportโ€™s potential for category expansion into apparel, accessories, outerwear, travel and more.

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