Randa to sell MCG to focus on $1 Billion core business; Winston to become North American leader in visual merchandising and retail experience.
NEW YORK CITY, January 10, 2020// – – Randa Accessories, a global leader in apparel and accessories, has entered into an agreement to sell the external part of MCG: Market Connect Group, its third-party in-store service division, to Winston Retail. The transaction is expected to close on or around January 31, 2020. MCG’s internal division will continue to provide in-store brand and product service for Randa and its affiliates.
Twenty years ago, Randa acquired MCG: Market Connect Group, to provide in-store services for Randa’s neckwear and leather goods businesses. This small team effectively provided in-store merchandising, visual display and replenishment services to a small number of department store “doors.” Over time MCG grew to become one of America’s largest in-store service providers at general merchandise retailers, particularly department stores.
At the same time, Randa grew both organically and via acquisitions. Today, Randa is the world’s largest men’s accessories company and a global leader in accessories for men, women and children under brands including Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Columbia Sportswear and Dickies. Earlier this year Randa acquired the Haggar Clothing Co., creating a one-billion-dollar apparel and accessories powerhouse.
With its new scale and scope, Randa is focusing its strategies and resources on building and supporting its rapidly growing global core brand and product portfolio. Therefore, on January 1st Randa entered into an agreement to sell the third-party (non-Randa and Haggar) merchandising and demonstrations business of MCG to Winston Retail. The acquisition is believed to position Winston as the largest retail merchandising agency in North America.
“We are very pleased to sell our third-party in-store service business to Winston Retail,” explains David J. Katz, Randa’s Executive Vice President and CMO. “The sale of MCG is a three-tiered win. First, it allows Randa and MCG to focus our internal service team and resources to provide Randa and Haggar with dedicated, best-in-class in-store merchandising, market research, and value-added services—all in furtherance of making their brands and products look great and sell quickly. Next, it provides MCG’s external clients with an extraordinary new partner to work with them on the creation of powerful visual merchandising and brand building at point-of-sale. And finally, with Winston’s acquisition of MCG’s external field team, it provides thousands of employees with growing retail job opportunities.”
“The acquisition of MCG will add significantly to Winston’s reputation as the leader in in-store merchandising for image brands,” said Jan Croatt, CEO and Founder, Winston Retail. “This new chapter for Winston will allow us to expand our reach and customer service for our current and new clients. Our goal is to offer exceptional services within the marketplace that exceed our competitor set. Our main focus will continue to be visual merchandising, store design, sales staffing and pop-up consumer experiences for brands and retailers, as well as expanding our technological capabilities.”
ABOUT RANDA:
Randa is one of the world’s leading apparel and accessories companies. From sketch to scale, spanning 15 countries, with a portfolio of 60 brands and building upon more than 100 years of experience, Randa produces exceptional products and services, empowers our associates, delights our customers, and makes our partners successful. From America’s best-selling pants to the world’s largest belt factory, our companies design, manufacture, distribute, sell and provide in-store services for men’s and women’s apparel, belts, small leather goods, luggage, headwear, neckwear and other accessories, worldwide. For more information visit www.randa.net.
ABOUT WINSTON RETAIL
Winston Retail is a dedicated team of service and creative experts that brings brands to life at retail. The company – with offices in New York and San Francisco – was formed in 2003 as a strategic solution for brands and retailers seeking experienced partners to design and execute creative services and merchandising efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. The company enlists a specialized team of art directors, designers, project managers, architects, visual merchandisers and stylists that function as an extension of the client, delivering results to the highest of standards. Winston changed the way brands and retailers would partner, utilizing a proprietary interactive web-based operating system, providing clients with 24-hour access to progress reports and overviews of current projects and services. For more information about Winston Retail, please visit www.winstonretail.com
Media Contacts:
For Randa
Office of the Chief Marketing Officer
E: marketing@randa.net
212-768-8800
For Winston
Paul C Witt
E: pwitt@somajorshop.com
