Athlete’s foot owner Arklyz Group acquires Lloyd Shoes – Footwear News

Arklyz Group has officially added another footwear name to its growing list of global brands.

The owner of The Athlete’s Foot, Asphaltgold, Intersocks brands as well as global licenses and distribution agreements has finalized the acquisition of the German shoe store manufacturer Lloyd Shoes from Ara AG, a family-owned German footwear company.

Terms of the deal, first announced in January, were not disclosed.

Lloyd Shoes has been producing exclusive footwear in German-speaking and Scandinavian countries since 1888. The brand, based in Sulingen, Germany, sells its products in 48 countries in nearly 2,800 sales points, operates 35 stores throughout Germany and in Copenhagen, Lima, Vienna and Beijing, and conducts international sales via its website. Over the years, the brand has added a leisure segment and accessories to its dress shoes and expanded its retail fleet.

“By integrating Lloyd with the Arklyz Group, we gain a brand with a unique heritage. Leveraging the synergies between Llyod and Arklyz will enhance our offering and drive further growth,” Arklyz Group owner and CEO Param Singh said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be working with the talented Lloyd team and look forward to bringing new energy to the brand while maintaining the high standards of quality and craftsmanship for which Lloyd is known. Our goal is to transform Lloyd into a globally attractive lifestyle brand.”

He added that he also sees potential in developing Lloyd’s omnichannel capabilities. Lloyd’s headquarters will remain in Sulingen, Germany.

The deal marks the latest footwear acquisition for Arklyz, which acquired Baltimore-based footwear and streetwear retailer Shoe City in 2022. Arklyz also has global licenses or wholesale distribution offers for brands such as Salomon, Head, Crocs, Nordica, Adidas and Hey Dude.

Ara AG CEO Andreas Wortmann said in a January statement that Arklyz’s “extensive expertise in the lifestyle and footwear sectors” made it a good fit for owner Lloyd.

“This partnership represents a tremendous opportunity for Llyod to expand its global reach,” Lloyd Shoes managing director Andreas Schaller said in a statement. “With Arklyz’s support, Llyod will accelerate growth initiatives, increase operational efficiency and continue to deliver exceptional products to our loyal customers.”

Arklyz CEO Param Singh previously told FN that when it comes to potential acquisition targets, he looks for existing companies in the market that have “strong brand relationships” and a “loyal consumer base.” He said he draws inspiration from companies such as JD Sports and Foot Locker, which have made significant acquisitions in recent years to expand their store fleet and consumer reach.