Kolon FnC Sets Out to Drive the Global Business

▷ Kolon Sport signs license & distribution agreement with Japanese general merchandise company 'Itochu'

▷ Archivepke signs exclusive distribution agreement with Thailand's largest distribution company 'Central'

Kolon Industries & Commerce (Kolon FnC) has begun to drive its global business in earnest. With the successful entry of its flagship outdoor brand 'Kolon Sport' into China, Kolon FnC has begun knocking on the door of the global market. The company plans to start a full-scale global business in the second half of this year.

Indigenous Outdoor Brand 'Kolon Sport' Expands into Japan

The first brand to enter Japan is Kolon Sport. Following its foray into China, Kolon Sport will enter Japan this F/W season. Kolon Sport has partnered with Japan's largest general merchandise company, Itochu Trading Corporation, and signed an agreement for the distribution and licensing of Kolon Sport in Japan for the next three years. The agreement is a tripartite agreement between Kolon FnC, Itochu Korea, and Itochu Trading, where Itochu Korea will produce the licensed products and Itochu Trading will be in charge of distribution in Japan.

Through the distribution agreement, Kolon Sport plans to enhance its product capabilities by examining the local demand and response to the products it has designed and developed. In addition, through the licensing agreement, the company plans to raise the profile of Kolon Sport as a high-end outdoor lifestyle brand by designing products suitable for the local outdoor market. The first licensed products will be developed in collaboration with a global fashion editorial shop in Japan, and will be released this October as an exclusive product line. The planning and design of all licensed products will be managed directly by Kolon Sport to maintain the one-brand strategy.

High-touch design emerging brand 'Archivepke' to land in Thailand on K-fashion wave

Kolon FnC's emerging brand 'Archivepke' will be the first to enter Thailand. Launched by Kolon FnC in 2019, the emerging brand has gained a core fan base in Korea by showcasing bags and shoes with high-touch design and product quality.

The brand started as an online-based brand, and has now diversified its distribution to offline, including exclusive showrooms and major department stores. The brand has shown a steady growth at 120% year-on-year.

Being recognized for its high-touch design along with the K-fashion trend, Archivepke has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Central Plaza, Thailand's largest retailer. For this Fall/Winter season, three stores will be opened sequentially from August - in Central Plaza Ladprao and Central Silom around mid-August, and in Central World under Archivepke branding in September.

Yoo Seok-jin, CEO of Kolon FnC, said, “Kolon FnC has constantly challenged itself in Korea based on solid planning, design, and branding, and has created success stories in various apparel lines. While deepening our roots in the domestic market, we intend to take on another challenge to diversify our global reach.”