Marquee Brands snaps up Roots as acquisition drive continues

Ben Sherman and Laura Ashley owner Marquee Brands has acquired Canadian outdoor and lifestyle brand Roots, marking the ownership of its 24th brand.

It follows Marquee Brands’ acquisition of Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli earlier this summer, as well as its acquisition of California lifestyle and performance sock company Stance last November.

The transaction, at C$4.10 per share, will take Roots private. As part of the transaction, Marquee Brands has strategically partnered with JM&A Design and Development, led by renowned Canadian retail leaders Joseph Mimran (co-founder of Club Monaco) and Frank Rocchetti, which will serve as Roots’ core operating partner.

Roots will continue to be operated from Canada, including its retail and e-commerce business across Canada and the United States.

Marquee Brands will lead Roots’ global brand stewardship and expansion, building on more than five decades of Canadian heritage to unlock new categories, markets and consumer opportunities around the world.

Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands, which opened a UK headquarters office in Hammersmith, London, in 2025 - its first in Europe - to add to its main New York HQ, said: “Taking on Roots is an incredible honour, and our strategic partnership with JM&A ensures the brand remains anchored in Canadian culture.

“With that foundation in place, we see significant global opportunity to extend Roots into new categories, markets and consumer segments, while remaining true to all that makes the brand distinctive.”

As Roots’ core operating partner, JM&A will oversee the design, development, manufacturing and distribution of men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel and assume responsibility for retail and e-commerce operations across Canada and the United States, including the Roots portfolio of more than 100 stores in North America.

Marquee Brands will bring its proven brand management and marketing platform and “best-in-class network” to drive the brand’s global growth.

“Few brands are as deeply connected to Canada’s identity as Roots,” said Joseph Mimran, President & Creative Director of JM&A. “The opportunity is to build from that strength with renewed focus on product, merchandising and the customer experience, while remaining true to the character that has made Roots so distinctive.

“Frank and I look forward to leading the business from Canada in partnership with Marquee Brands and positioning the brand for its next phase of growth.”

Meghan Roach, President and CEO of Roots, added: “This transaction is a strong endorsement of the Roots brand and the momentum behind our business. Over the past several years, we have restored Roots to a position of strength, with a distinctive Canadian identity that resonates with customers here and around the world.

“This transaction brings together Marquee Brands’ global brand-building platform and JM&A’s operational leadership to position Roots for its next chapter of growth. Roots remains proudly Canadian, and we are excited to build on our heritage and pursue the significant growth opportunities ahead.”