GOLETA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2004--Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ: DECK) today announced that it has entered into a license agreement for handbags and small leather goods bearing the Ugg(R) brand in the United States. Under the terms of the agreement, Jacobs & Leslie Hsu Designs, a designer and distributor of high-end handbags and small leather goods, will design and market Ugg-branded items, which will be sold through better department stores and independent specialty stores. The initial term for the license is through June 30, 2008, with additional three-year renewal terms. The agreement was facilitated by Deckers' worldwide licensing agent, BHPC Global Licensing.
Alan Jacobs, CEO of Jacobs & Leslie Hsu Designs, has more than twenty years of experience in retail, export and wholesale. Leslie Hsu, Head Designer, currently has her signature handbag collection exclusively distributed to high-end specialty boutiques.
Douglas Otto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, stated "To further expand our brand's presence in the marketplace, we made the strategic decision to license the UGG name for handbags and small leather goods, as we believe Ugg's position as the premier luxury sheepskin footwear line will translate well into accessories. We believe Alan and Leslie are the ideal partners to carry Ugg's image and reputation for quality into this new market. We plan to continue to leverage the growing popularity of the brand by introducing new footwear collections and look to diversify the product line by selectively pursuing additional licensing agreements. We remain dedicated to capitalizing on the many opportunities that lie ahead."
Deckers Outdoor Corporation builds niche products into global lifestyle brands by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear, developed for both high performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. The Company's products are offered under the Teva, Simple and Ugg brand names.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about future opportunities and the Company's ability to successfully extend its Ugg name to accessories and other products, are forward-looking statements. Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ from the results described in the forward-looking statements. Among these risks and uncertainties are conditions in the general economy and in the Company's retail environment, the effect of consumer preferences and other factors discussed in the Company's filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements in this news release.
CONTACT: Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Scott Ash, 805-967-7611
or
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Chad A. Jacobs/Brendon E. Frey, 203-222-9013
SOURCE: Deckers Outdoor Corporation