Authentic Brands Group to acquire Dockers from Levi’s

Authentic Brands Group is set to continue its brand acquisition strategy with the takeover of Dockers from Levi Strauss & Co. for $311 million (£232 million), in a deal expected to be completed in Q3 2025.

The news comes after it was revealed last month that Authentic, which owns Ted Baker, Reebok, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Quiksilver and Sperry, amongst other brands, is exploring a potential takeover offer for American fashion label Guess. In 2024 it also acquired Champion, and in 2023 it took control of British heritage brand, Hunter.

The addition of Dockers, which has been a staple in American wardrobes since 1986 and is best known for its chinos and khakis, aligns with Authentic Brand Group’s strategy to grow its portfolio through "brands with strong heritage, loyal consumers and global recognition".

Jamie Salter, founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic, said: "Dockers is a natural fit for the Authentic model. It’s a brand with deep roots, high awareness and a solid foundation in licensing – all things we look for when acquiring new brands.

"Dockers played a key role in shaping casual workwear as we know it today and we see significant potential to build on that legacy and grow the brand across a variety of categories."

Coinciding with the transaction, Authentic has signed a licensing agreement with its long-standing partner Centric Brands, which will serve as the operating partner for Dockers across key categories in the US and Canada.

Centric will take on sportswear, activewear, kids’ apparel, dress shirts, workwear and performance golf, reinforcing Dockers’ positioning across both lifestyle and functional categories

Jason Rabin, CEO of Centric Brands, said: "Dockers represents everything we look for in a brand partnership – iconic heritage, consumer loyalty, and growth potential.

"We’re bringing the same strategic expertise to Dockers that we’ve applied to our successful brand portfolio that includes design, strategic sourcing and an extensive wholesale network. We look forward to the growth of the Dockers brand."

Authentic also plans to unlock new opportunities for Dockers through its global network of more than 1,700 licensing partners, with a focus on innovation, omnichannel expansion and international growth.

The company is in active discussions with regional operators in EMEA, LATAM and SE Asia to transition and scale Dockers’ existing businesses across those markets.

Matt Maddox, President of Authentic, added: "Few brands own a category the way Dockers does, yet still have so much room to grow.

"Its legacy in casualwear gives it a strong foundation, but the real opportunity lies in reimagining the brand for a new generation. Through our global platform and deep licensing network, we’re committed to stewarding the brand into its next era of growth and relevance."