Australian fashion and footwear business Accent Group has been appointed as the exclusive distributor for Lacoste and Dickies in the Australia and New Zealand region, adding to its current 30-brand portfolio.
Lacoste is a leading global lifestyle brand founded in France in 1933 and established in nearly 100 countries. The brand sells products across sports and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories.
The brand is sold in ANZ through direct to consumer, online and owned stores and through wholesale channels into department stores and other specialty lifestyle retailers.
Accent is expected to commence distribution of Lacoste in 2025, post a period of transition with its existing distributor, True Alliance. The initial agreement has a term of eight years.
“We are very pleased to welcome Lacoste to Accent and look forward to continuing the long running Lacoste journey in ANZ,” Accent CEO Daniel Agostinelli said. “Accent currently sells Lacoste in many of its multi-brand banners including Hype DC, Platypus, Stylerunner, Glue and others and expects to expand this footprint and volume over the coming years.
“Lacoste currently has a strong Australian presence through direct online, branded concepts and outlet stores and a strong wholesales business which under this agreement will be fully managed and operated by Accent.
“The term of the agreement reflects the confidence that Accent has in the quality and growth of the brand and the confidence the brand owner has in Accent’s capability in the ANZ region.”
As for Dickies, the lifestyle and streetwear brand was founded in 1922, and is currently owned by VF Corporation, which owns Vans, Timberland, The North Face and others.
Dickies products include apparel and accessories in the street and lifestyle fashion categories. The distribution agreement is expected to commence from July 2025 and has an initial five year term.
Dickies is currently sold in ANZ through direct to consumer, online and owned stores and through wholesale channels into specialty streetwear and youth stores including Glue Store, Universal, Iconic and City Beach.
“The addition of Dickies to the Accent portfolio demonstrates the strength of the Accent relationship with VF Corporation and reflects the confidence in Accent’s capability to grow the Dickies brand in Australia,” Agostinelli said. “Accent currently sells Dickies in its Glue banner and also sells to the majority of Dickies customers through its 2,000 strong network of wholesale accounts.
“Dickies is currently sold in Australia through direct online, outlet stores and its wholesale business which under this agreement will all be fully managed and operated by Accent.”
Agostinelli added that the addition of these two global brands adds to the group’s strategy to grow its product portfolio in lifestyle apparel and footwear, highlighting the apparel market in particular.
“Both brands are sold and can be expanded in existing Accent banners along with a strong presence in direct online sales. Further scale can be achieved with standalone stores and through Accent’s 2,000 strong network of wholesale accounts.”