Brands Up for Review at Liz

Friday, July 13, 2007

New York–based Liz Claiborne Inc. announced more structural changes for the company, including reviewing and considering strategic alternatives of its 16 apparel brands and a layoff of up to 9 percent, or 800 people, of its global workforce.

The company recently announced plans to split its company into two divisions: a retail-based vertically integrated Direct Brands segment, which includes Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Lucky Brand Jeans and Mexx; and a wholesale-based Partnered Brands segment, which will have a centralized structure and a focus on “design and merchandising and meeting the needs of partners and consumers.” The Partnered Brands would include the Axcess, Claiborne, Concepts by Claiborne, Liz Claiborne, Liz & Co. and Villager brands, as well as the DKNY Jeans group and the Monet group.

The company will consider selling, shuttering or licensing potential for several of its brands, including C&C California, Laundry by Design, prAna, Dana Buchman, Ellen Tracy, Emma James, Enyce, First Issue, Intuitions, J.H. Collectibles, Kensie, Mac & Jac, Sigrid Olsen, Stamp 10, Tapemeasure and Tint.—Alison A. Nieder