Levi Strauss to Sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group for $311M
Levi Strauss has agreed to sell Dockers to brand management firm Authentic Brands Group (ABG) for $311 million, the companies announced Tuesday, reports CNBC. Under the terms of the deal, ABG will own Dockers’ intellectual property while Centric Brands will take on operations, handling manufacturing, sourcing and distribution. Under the brand management business model, Levi’s stands to make up to $391 million in future years based on how well Dockers performs under the ABG umbrella, which also includes Forever 21′s intellectual property and brands like Reebok and Nautica. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in Q3 2025.
In October, Levi’s announced it was considering selling Dockers as it looked to focus on growing its namesake line and its athleisure brand, Beyond Yoga. Dockers’ performance was dragging down Levi’s results and Michelle Gass, who took the helm of the company a little over a year ago, has been working to sell off extraneous businesses to fuel growth and focus on direct selling.
Total Retail's Take: Authentic Brands Group says the addition of Dockers aligns with its strategy to grow its portfolio through brands with strong heritage, loyal customers, and global recognition, according to a company press release. The firm said it plans to “unlock new opportunities” for Dockers through its global network of 1,700 licensing partners while "reimagining the brand for a new generation." While khakis have fallen out of favor in the U.S., Dockers is still popular abroad. The company is in active discussions with regional operators in LATAM, EMEA, and SE Asia to transition and scale Dockers’ existing business across those markets.
“Dockers is a natural fit for the Authentic model,” said Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of ABG. “It’s a brand with deep roots, high awareness and a solid foundation in licensing — all things we look for when acquiring new brands. Dockers played a key role in shaping casual workwear as we know it today and we see significant potential to build on that legacy and grow the brand across a variety of categories.”
Kristina Stidham is the digital content director at Total Retail and sister brands Women in Retail Leadership Circle and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality at NAPCO Media. She is passionate about digital media and handles video, podcast and virtual event production for all brands. You can often find her at WIRLC, TR, WLT&H or industry events with her camera and podcasting equipment—or at home on Zoom—recording interviews with thought leaders and business executives.
Kristina holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Production from the Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication in Philadelphia. Go Owls! When she's not in the office, she loves to go on long walks, sing around the house, hangout with her family and two pet guinea pigs, and travel to new places.
