[Exclusive] Luxury Brand Battle... Samsung C&T Fashion to Acquire 'Sandro' and 'Maje'

French Women's Brands Sandro and Maje
Domestic Distribution Rights Change Hands After 20 Years with Idlook
Samsung C&T Fashion Expected to Bolster Performance

Samsung C&T Fashion Division has secured the domestic business rights for the French luxury brands 'Sandro' and 'Maje.' Sandro and Maje are women's clothing brands owned by the French fashion company SMCP Group, and the domestic clothing company Idlook, owned by a Japanese company, has held the domestic distribution rights for over 20 years.

According to the fashion industry on the 2nd, Samsung C&T Fashion is about to sign a domestic business rights contract with SMCP Group for Sandro and Maje. Currently, Idlook, which operates these brands, will have its distribution rights contract expire next year. A fashion industry insider said, "The brand headquarters have made proposals regarding future distribution rights to major domestic fashion companies," adding, "Although the headquarters holds the choice, I understand that there has been some coordination with Samsung C&T Fashion."

Brand Sandro image. Screenshot of the brand's official website.

Sandro and Maje are France-based brands, recognized as representatives of high-priced women's contemporary (premium) fashion. In particular, Sandro is the flagship brand of SMCP Group, which has grown into a global fashion company, offering luxurious yet casual designs and maintaining steady popularity domestically. The brand is famous for being favored by many celebrities such as IU and Seolhyun. There is also a men's fashion line called 'Sandro Homme' that pursues a sophisticated style.

SMCP is a leading French fashion group operating brands such as Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot, and Furla Sac. It was listed on the Paris stock exchange in 2017. The group has expanded into about 50 countries worldwide, with sales reaching 1.211 billion euros (approximately 1.924 trillion KRW) as of last year.

Idlook has developed the domestic business of these brands for over 20 years. Idlook, which holds shares owned by Japan's Look Holdings, first introduced Maje to Korea in 1998 through the select shop 'Maze May.' From 2004, it separated Maje as a standalone brand and expanded the business. In 2013, Idlook also acquired the distribution rights for Sandro, which had been held by Kolon Industries FnC division, thereby managing SMCP Group's domestic business overall.

Thanks to Sandro and Maje securing a solid female fan base, Idlook's performance showed an upward trend every year. Sales grew from 136 billion KRW in 2013 to 143.4 billion KRW the following year, reaching the 150 billion KRW range in 2015. Idlook also secured the business rights for the French fashion brand A.P.C in 2016, achieving sales in the 200 billion KRW range by 2019. Currently, Sandro and Maje are present in major domestic department stores and outlets, with 59 and 42 stores respectively.

If Samsung C&T Fashion begins full-scale domestic operations for Sandro and Maje, it is expected to significantly strengthen its competitiveness in women's fashion. While Samsung C&T Fashion's menswear division has strong brands such as Beanpole and Galaxy, its women's brands have often been considered weak. Samsung C&T Fashion currently owns women's brands including Kuho Plus, Juun.J, and Beanpole, and is continuously expanding its women's lineup. Last year, it newly launched brands such as Anggae, Cotello, Sand Sound, and The Aperture.

Expectations for improved performance in Samsung C&T Fashion Division are also high. Last year, Samsung C&T Fashion's sales were 2.004 trillion KRW, down about 50 billion KRW from the previous year (2.051 trillion KRW). Samsung C&T Fashion has sold premium brands such as Issey Miyake, Lemaire, Jacquemus, CDG3, and Ami domestically, but recorded sluggish results due to the downturn in the domestic fashion market amid the economic recession. A Samsung C&T official said, "We received a proposal from the French SMCP headquarters to establish a business partnership contract, so we are pursuing it," adding, "Discussions on the domestic business are underway, but nothing has been concretely decided yet."