PR Newswire | Dec 14, 2021 04:45PM EST

12/14 15:44 CST

GENESCO INC. SIGNS U.S. LICENSE FOR ETONIC FOOTWEAR NASHVILLE, Dec. 14, 2021

NASHVILLE, Dec. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) has signed a new three-year licensing agreement with heritage running brand ETONIC to be its exclusive U.S. and Canadian footwear licensee. The deal includes two three-year renewal options, which would extend the partnership through January 31, 2030.

"We are pleased and excited to announce a new U.S. and Canadian footwear licensing partnership with Genesco Licensed Brands," said Bruce Weisfeld, Partner, Etonic Holdings LLC. "Along with our current roster of domestic and international licensees, we continue our work to build the Etonic brand and return it to its rightful place among the best athletic companies in the world. We are confident that Genesco will honor the Etonic tradition of 'firsts' by bringing new product to market through its extensive retail and wholesale platforms."

Founded in 1876, Etonic is one of the most iconic athletic footwear brands with an historic reputation for comfort, innovation, quality, and performance. The Etonic lifestyle consumer, ages 16 to 45, spans generations. The brand encompasses a unique dynamic that is primarily fueled by the ever-growing "sneaker-head" culture. Genesco will design and manufacture Etonic brand lifestyle footwear for men, women, and kids with suggested retail prices ranging from $50 to $110.

"We are thrilled to partner with Etonic," said Andy Gilbert, president of Genesco Licensed Brands. "Etonic's incredible history and past affiliation with sports legends like Arnold Palmer, Bill Rodgers, and Hakeem Olajuwon provide a terrific foundation for lifestyle footwear built on the brand's performance heritage but designed for today's consumer."

Genesco, a Nashville-based specialty retail and branded company, has been a leader in the footwear industry for nearly 100 years. With a reputation for producing high quality, innovative styles with a sharp attention to detail, Genesco's stable of licensed footwear includes many top brands, including Levi's, Dockers, Bass, and Starter. The addition of the Etonic brand expands Genesco Licensed Brands portfolio into the retro/heritage branded footwear space that is a growing segment in the industry.

The new line of footwear is planned to launch in sports and shoe specialty stores by Fall 2022.

About EtonicFounded in 1876 and re-branded as Etonic in 1976, Etonic has an established brand heritage in all areas of athletic and casual footwear. Long recognized as a leader in product performance and innovation and known by industry consumers for its "First One There," motto, Etonic continues to develop new ways to help athletes feel and perform better.

About Genesco Inc.Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retail and branded company, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,430 retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Little Burgundy, Schuh, Schuh Kids, Johnston & Murphy, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.journeys.ca, www.littleburgundyshoes.com, www.schuh.co.uk, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.johnstonmurphy.ca, www.nashvilleshoewarehouse.com, and www.dockersshoes.com. In addition, Genesco sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand, the licensed Levi's brand, the licensed Dockers brand, the licensed Bass brand, and other brands. Genesco is committed to progress in its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and the Company's environmental, social and governance stewardship. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com.

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SOURCE Genesco Inc.