Bern, Switzerland · July 2, 2021
Arklyz Group has acquired 100% of The Athlete's Foot (TAF) from IIC-INTERSPORT International Corporation (IIC), with the deal expected to close at the end of July 2021. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
TAF operates 564 stores across 32 markets and generated around $400 million in sales in 2020. IIC had owned the global multibrand athletic retail franchise since 2012; TAF's teams in Amsterdam and Atlanta remain in place under the new ownership.
The sale lets IIC, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, sharpen its focus on sports performance retail, while Arklyz — which already owns Intersocks and manages brands including Crocs, Salomon, and Head — expands further into sports and lifestyle retail. The two companies continue an existing partnership through Intersocks.
Steve Evers, CEO of IIC, said Arklyz was chosen as "a strong operative investor... to ensure TAF continues growing rapidly."
Param Singh, Owner & CEO of Arklyz, said the deal represents "an extraordinary opportunity for both" companies.
The acquisition marks an early milestone in Arklyz's strategy of building a diversified platform across brand ownership, distribution, retail, and manufacturing.
