When it comes to Skechers, United Legwear & Apparel Co. is stepping up its footprint. ULAC has been working with Skechers since 2010, when they entered into a licensing agreement for legwear. Fourteen years and millions of pairs of socks later, their partnership is stronger than ever, having recently signed a global sales and distribution deal.
The long-term success of the ULAC/Skechers partnership is a testament to effective collaboration, product innovation, strategic planning, corporate growth and aligned values.
Collaboration
ULAC’s designers and merchandisers work closely with the Skechers teams to incorporate seasonal colors and trends in footwear into socks – ensuring that The Comfort Technology Company® offers consumers its hallmarks of style, comfort, innovation, value and quality in every pair. Similarly, ULAC keeps a keen eye on consumer trends in legwear, which change just like all apparel categories.
Product Innovation
Beyond style and trends, ULAC is always looking for new ways to complement Skechers’ broad footwear range with socks that perform for specific sports as well as casual and lifestyle wear. Such innovations address: Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® as well as shoes for soccer, basketball, golf, running, pickleball, hiking and work. Keeping with the sports theme, ULAC also makes inflatable balls for soccer and basketball.
In lifestyle, Skechers’ diverse designs include casuals, boots, slippers and more, and ULAC socks address lifestyle product for men, women and children including the philanthropic BOBS from Skechers division.
Corporate Growth
As Skechers builds toward its goal of “reaching $10 billion in annual revenues in 2026,” ULAC has been growing as well and reinvesting in their own resources. Larger distribution centers, state-of-the-art warehouse management systems and the launch of new global corporate entities have allowed ULAC to meet Skechers’ growing needs globally.
In July of 2024, it was announced that ULAC and Skechers had expanded their 20-year licensing partnership to include distribution in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The license will be managed in these two added territories through ULAC’s newly formed, wholly owned subsidiaries in the EU and UK: United Legwear & Apparel Europe BV and United Legwear & Apparel UK Ltd., respectively.
Skechers will leverage ULAC’s sales and distribution strengths in these territories to increase their market footprint. Isaac Ash, CEO and president of ULAC, explained that the timing was perfect for the addition of these territories to their licensing agreement: “ULAC has had a successful partnership with Skechers for two decades in North America. With the establishment of ULAC Europe BV in 2023, it’s a strategic time for Skechers to tap into our capabilities and increase their legwear presence in retailers across these countries.”
The global licensing agreement means that ULAC will distribute product to major retailers across the UK and EU who are already Skechers partners. Legwear will expand the brand footprint in sport and specialty retailers in those markets.
In addition to a wholesale partnership, ULAC also has a global partnership with Skechers Retail, manufacturing and distributing Skechers legwear and inflatables for all Skechers stores around the world.
“Customers’ enthusiastic response to our offering of Skechers-branded socks has paved the way for additional expansion opportunities, including in Europe,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “With a long history together, United Legwear understands the Skechers brand, our need for quality and style, and our consumers. Together, we can bring more comfort to the people of Europe.”
Global Marketing
To support sales efforts in these new territories, ULAC will participate in the Sport Achat Été and ISPO tradeshows in France and Munich, respectively.
Aligned Values
A partnership is only successful when each party’s respective principles align. Skechers is a company that generously gives back to its local community in Manhattan Beach and helps people in need all over the world. ULAC also considers charity as one of the company’s four foundational pillars and has been a regular supporter of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk at the Manhattan Beach Pier each year. Together, these two companies have done a lot of good with product donations and financial support for organizations that make people’s lives better.
For more information, go to www.unitedlegwear.com
