The British footwear and lifestyle group Jacobson, known for brands such as Gola, Frank Wright, and licensee of Dunlop and Lonsdale, is being acquired by the Japanese Marubeni Group.
Global ambition
Jacobson Group comprises a portfolio of footwear brands, including the more than 120-year-old Gola. Marubeni is integrating the group into its lifestyle platform, which is operationally managed by RGB Brands. This American company acts as a “platform engine” for multiple consumer brands and already manages brands such as Dearfoams and Baggallini. RGB aims to accelerate the brands’ growth potential through economies of scale and shared infrastructure.
Jacobson started as a family business in the United Kingdom and grew into an international player with sales in Europe and the United States. The sneaker brand Gola in particular is considered a strategic asset, adding “cultural relevance and global ambition.” The group has not disclosed any financial details. The existing management of Jacobson Group will remain in place “to ensure a smooth transition.”
