The Athlete’s Foot Owner Arklyz Group Closes Deal to Acquire Lloyd Shoes
Arklyz Group has officially added another shoe name to its growing roster of global brands.
The owner of The Athlete’s Foot, Asphaltgold, Intersocks and global licenses and distribution deals has closed a deal to acquire German shoe store manufacturer Lloyd Shoes from Ara AG, a family owned German shoe company.
The terms of the deal, was first announced in January, were not disclosed.
Lloyd Shoes has manufactured upscale footwear in German-speaking and Scandinavian countries since 1888. The Sulingen, Germany-based brand sells its products in 48 countries at close to 2,800 points of sale, operates 35 stores across Germany as well as in Copenhagen, Lima, Vienna, and Beijing and sells internationally through its website. Throughout the years, the label has added a leisure segment and accessories to its dress shoes and has grown its retail fleet.
“By integrating Lloyd into the Arklyz Group, we gain a brand with an exceptional heritage. And leveraging synergies between Llyod and Arklyz will enhance our offerings and drive further growth,” said owner and chief executive officer of Arklyz Group Param Singh in a statement. “We are excited to work with the talented team at Lloyd and look forward to bringing new energy into the brand while upholding the high standards of quality and craftsmanship that Lloyd is known for. Our goal is to transform Lloyd into a globally appealing lifestyle brand.”
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He added that he sees potential to grow Lloyd’s omnichannel capabilities as well. Lloyd’s headquarters will remain in Sulingen, Germany.
The deal marks the latest shoe acquisition for Arklyz, which in 2022 acquired Shoe City, a Baltimore-based sneaker and streetwear retailer. Arklyz also owns global licenses or wholesale distribution deals for brands such as Salomon, Head, Crocs, Nordica, Adidas and Hey Dude.
CEO of Ara AG Andreas Wortmann said in a statement in January that Arklyz’s “broad expertise in the lifestyle and footwear sectors” made it a good fit to own Lloyd.
“This partnership represents a powerful opportunity for Llyod to expand its global footprint,” said managing director of Lloyd Shoes Andreas Schaller in a statement. “With the support of Arklyz, Llyod will accelerate its growth initiatives, enhance operational efficiencies, 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 businesses in the marketplace with “strong brand relationships” and a “loyal consumer base.” He said he takes inspiration from companies like JD Sports and Foot Locker, both of whom have made notable acquisitions in recent years to expand their store fleets and consumer reach.
