Niwot-based Crocs Inc. is expanding into licensing, which will provide opportunities for its Crocs brand to extend beyond footwear.
The company has signed licensing agreements with key global and regional manufacturers for products ranging from apparel to sunglasses and other accessories.
“Licensing presents an opportunity to leverage one of our most valuable assets – the global power of the Crocs brand – by associating it with best-in-class products that go beyond footwear,” said Mike DeBell, vice president of global sales. “More than 200 million pairs of Crocs shoes have been sold in more than 90 countries around the world. That’s powerful testimony to the connection forged with consumers by the Crocs brand.”
The first non-footwear Crocs-branded products included a line of adult and children’s socks from Sock and Accessories Brands, which launched in the holiday 2011 season. They are available in North America through wholesale and retail channels. Crocs-branded socks, produced by Intersocks, will also be available throughout European markets.
Crocs also entered an agreement with Accessory Exchange, which is producing a variety of Crocs-branded accessories for men, women and children, in several global regions. Accessory Exchange Crocs-branded products include hats, bags, backpacks, socks and gloves that are available now at Crocs retail stores and .
In April, the Crocs brand will extend to children’s apparel through an agreement with the A Group. The children’s apparel will be available in 46 countries around the globe and distributed through retail and wholesale channels. Crocs-branded sunglasses and sunglass accessories will launch in May. Eye King, LLC is producing sunglasses for adults and youth for retail and wholesale distribution in the U.S. and Canada.
