Establishment of a Lifestyle Brand Business Platform：Acquisition of Slipper Class Licensing Rights for Clarks® and Timberland®

Jan. 20, 2026
Marubeni Corporation

Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”) has acquired the licensing rights for the slipper class of the footwear manufacturers Clarks® and Timberland® from Green Market Services Company, Inc. (hereinafter, “GMS”), as a part of its initiative to construct a life-style model enterprise platform anchored by R.G. Barry Corporation (hereinafter, “RGB”), a life-style model administration firm (hereinafter, the “Acquisition”).

Clarks®, based in 1825, is without doubt one of the largest footwear manufacturers within the UK, acknowledged globally for its high quality, design, and luxury, with a presence in additional than 100 nations and areas. Timberland®, established within the U.S. in 1973, is a globally acknowledged way of life model identified for its outdoor-inspired performance and distinctive design. The Acquisition is structured as an asset acquisition whereby RGB acquires from GMS the worldwide licensing rights for the slipper class of Clarks®, excluding sure territories, in addition to the U.S. licensing rights for the slipper class of Timberland®. By integrating these licenses with RGB’s strong working platform—together with Dearfoams, the market chief within the U.S. in room footwear and slippers—Marubeni goals to broaden RGB’s model portfolio and additional scale its way of life model enterprise.

In 2024, Marubeni Consumer Platform U.S. (“MCPU”), one of many devoted funding platforms below Marubeni’s Next Generation Corporate Development Division, entered the approach to life model administration enterprise by the acquisition of RGB. The Acquisition represents the second roll-up transaction executed by RGB, following the acquisition of Jacobson Group Limited (hereinafter, “Jacobson”).

Under its Mid-Term Management Strategy GC2027, Marubeni is specializing in Strategic Platform Businesses (companies with “Growth Domains x High Added Value x Scalability”). The Next Generation Corporate Development Division goals to seize development in high-potential consumer-related companies by investments and M&A, with the intention of constructing companies that may develop into new pillars of Marubeni in 2030. In the approach to life model administration enterprise, Marubeni will proceed to develop its model portfolio and earnings base by the roll-up of synergistic development manufacturers following Jacobson and the Acquisition, whereas scaling its way of life model enterprise platform. By growing manufacturers that intently align with more and more various shopper preferences, Marubeni is dedicated to enhancing its long-term company worth.

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