Randa Acquires Ben Sherman License in the US
Randa Acquires Echo Design License
Randa's National Sales Meeting in New Orleans
Randa Acquires License for Hathaway and Lady Hathaway
Randa Accessories Integrates Luggage Division
Save the Children in Theory and Practice
Randa Acquires Nautica License
Partners in Progress Award
Randa Wins Coveted Five Star Award
Randa Receives the Licensee of the Year Award

With the recent acquisition of the Ben Sherman neckwear license for the United States, Randa Accessories has announced today the long-anticipated first shipment of ties, projected to begin delivering in time for spring.  Randa also holds the Ben Sherman license in the United Kingdom and Australia for neckwear; and Australia for belts and leather goods. 

The debut of the Ben Sherman neckwear line this month will be as edgy as the brand’s rock and roll history – designs sporting the iconic plectrum logo at every turn.  Although the products are not expected to be available to the general public until the end of this week; over the past few months the new ties have been highly publicized both in the menswear industry and in the celebrity community.  Selections from the new line have been previewed everywhere from music festival gift lounges and high-end celebrity fashion spreads to Bravo TV’s “Make Me a Supermodel” Show – meeting an overwhelming buzz of excitement and approval.  The neckwear will launch in two collections – Ben Sherman Black and Orange, which will be sold at Macy’s; and SOHO by Ben Sherman which will be sold at Nordstrom’s.

Paul McAdam, Ben Sherman’s North American Division President released this statement: “Ben Sherman is pleased to be partnering with Randa for the design and distribution of our neckwear products in the United States market.  The Autumn 08 collection is very strong and we are confident that Randa will continue to deliver exciting and innovative products over the coming seasons.  The directional neckwear collection has great synergy with our tailored clothing and dress shirt offer.  The reaction to all of these products from our customer base has been excellent.”

Randa Accessories Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, David J. Katz: “Randa is pleased to acquire the Ben Sherman license for the US market.  It is an excellent strategic addition to our powerful brand portfolio.  With the brand’s great reception in Europe and Australia, expanding the neckwear line on a more global level was a natural step.  We look forward to continuing our long standing relationship with Ben Sherman and working together to ensure the success of this line.” Top

The Echo Design Group has signed a licensing agreement with Randa Accessories for men’s neckwear with the first collection launching this month at the MAGIC trade show in Las Vegas.

As part of the agreement, Randa will manufacture and distribute the neckwear under the Echo brand.  The collection will be a fresh interpretation of contemporary neckwear designs through variations in seasonal fabrics, colors and shapes.  Inspired by timeless and fashion forward designs, customers will see unique linen effects, vibrant prints and textured fabrics, in classic and updated shapes.  “We are happy to announce our partnership with Randa as we expand our brand into the men’s neckwear market.  This is an exciting endeavor for Echo as we continue to grow and expand in the world of accessories and home,” says Steven Roberts, President/CEO of The Echo Design Group.

“We are pleased to enter into this strategic alliance with The Echo Design Group,” commented David J. Katz, Randa Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer.  “The brand is in perfect alignment with the underserved segment of customers who prefer sophistication via color and pattern.  Echo’s iconic patterns and extraordinary designs will add a fresh perspective to the neckwear market.  Echo is important to our brand portfolio and an integral part of our marketing strategy.”

Randa Accessories is the leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of lifestyle accessories including belts, wallets, neckwear, small leather goods, luggage, casual bags, business cases and gifts.  Randa also provides in-store services and training for industry-leading clients.  From its origin as a neckwear company for over seventy years, Randa now sells best-in-class fashion, lifestyle, luxury and private branded products to major retailers in all channels of distribution.  The company’s products are sold in more than 10,000 doors, on five continents. 

Echo has been a leader in creating innovative and beautifully designed products since 1923. In addition to neckwear, the Echo brand encompasses scarves, wraps, cold weather products, gloves, rainwear, hair accessories, beachwear, handbags, bath ensembles, decorative fabric and trim, wallpaper, paper products, table linens, kitchen textiles and window coverings under its own brand. Echo also designs and distributes the Monsac handbag brand.  They have recently launched their third home decorating book titled, Color At Home.  Echo designs extensive collections through private label for major retailers, prominent museums and corporations.  Echo’s prestigious list of licensing partners in fashion and accessories includes Ralph Lauren, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Chaps and Polo. Top

Randa Accessories, the leader in lifestyle accessories, and the 2006 New Orleans City Business Newspaper’s #10 “Top 100 New Orleans Private Companies,” is made its biennial trek down to the great state of Louisiana for the company’s National Sales Meeting.  The city saw an influx of 200 plus eager sales, merchandising, and marketing associates who will join the company’s 300 local associates for the three day conference. 

In 1996, Randa Accessories purchased WEMCO, a New Orleans based company very active in the community since 1926.  Under the Randa umbrella, the New Orleans office located at 200 James Drive East, was established as headquarters for the entire Randa Corporation under the watchful eye of Randy Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Nola Distribution and Operations.  In recent years, Randa has grown dramatically showing no sign of slowing down.  The company most recently acquired Badanco Luggage (now Randa Luggage) in 2007, adding a whole new classification and the natural “third leg” to their accessories business. 

Since the inception of the NOLA headquarters, Randa has held six National Sales Meetings in New Orleans over the last 10 years, where the company’s biennial return seems to be becoming tradition.  This year during the course of the meeting, Randa Accessories arranged for their associates to take in the sights, sounds, and especially tastes of “The Big Easy” by preparing a number of outings to local haunts for team bonding dinners and larger company events. 

Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, David J. Katz commented, “The New Orleans community is very important to Randa Accessories. We look forward to this event because it allows us the opportunity to give back to the city and the businesses that are so much a part of our employees’ lives.  We would like to thank the city for its generous hospitality and we hope to continue the New Orleans NSM tradition in the future.” Top

Oxford Industries announced today a licensing agreement for Hathaway and Lady Hathaway with Randa Accessories, the leader in lifestyle accessories to develop, market, and distribute a series of leather goods, gifts, neckwear, casual bags, men’s jewelry, and luggage in the United States. The launch of these new collections for Hathaway and Lady Hathaway marks a significant extension of one of the most recognized names in America during the 1990’s and whose roots trace back to the 1800’s.

Randa is pleased to enter into another important partnership with Oxford Industries. This deal presents a tremendous opportunity to help extend this substantial lifestyle brand into additional classifications. Hathaway and Lady Hathaway are important additions to our portfolio and we look forward to continuing our strong alliance with Oxford.

About Oxford Industries, Inc.
Oxford Industries, Inc. is a producer and marketer of branded and private label apparel for men, women and children. Oxford provides retailers and consumers with a wide variety of apparel products and services to suit their individual needs. Oxford’s brands include Tommy Bahama®, Indigo Palms®, Island Soft®, Ben Sherman®, Arnold Brant®, Ely & Walker® and Oxford Golf®. The Company also holds exclusive licenses to produce and sell certain product categories under the Tommy Hilfiger®, Nautica®, Geoffrey Beene®, Dockers® and Oscar de la Renta® labels. Oxford's wholesale customers are found in every major channel of distribution, including national chains, specialty catalogs, mass merchants, department stores, specialty stores and Internet retailers. Oxford’s stock has traded on the NYSE since 1964 under the symbol OXM.

In January 2007, Randa Accessories acquired Badanco Luggage, one of America’s largest luggage and travel accessories companies, with prestigious brands including Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Diane von Furstenberg, Liz Claiborne, Donald J. Trump and CHAPS.

Today Randa announced the completion of several initiatives to complete the integration of Badanco Luggage into Randa Accessories.

Badanco Luggage has been re-branded “Randa Luggage” leveraging the competencies and relationships of other Randa divisions, and advancing the position of Randa as the leader in lifestyle accessories.

Terry Tackett has been promoted to president and CEO of Randa Luggage. Tackett previously served as senior vice president of sales at Randa Leather Goods and joined Randa via the acquisition of Humphrey’s Leather Goods in 2001. He led Randa Leather Goods to a greater than 50% increase in sales over the past 6 years. Peter Corritori, president and CEO of Badanco for the past two years, will leave Randa Luggage to to pursue an opportunity outside of the industry. Randa Leather SVP Mary Rice will assume Tackett’s sales responsibilities.

Randa Luggage has created a sourcing and compliance office in Hangzhou, China and opened its first International sales office in London, U.K.. Paul Nimmo, former sales director for Samsonite Luggage, has been named sales director of this division.

“Luggage,” states Randa Chief Marketing Officer, David J. Katz “is a lifestyle accessory, not a commodity, and therefore a perfect fit in Randa’s accessories strategy. To Randa and its partners, fashion, status and lifestyle-oriented luggage is less of a “once in a lifetime” gift received for graduation or a wedding present… and much more an impulse purchase chosen because it looks great, makes you feel fashionable, fits your lifestyle and brand preference, and has new features that make travel easier. These factors yield luggage which is purchased more frequently and appeals to a larger marketplace.”
Katz continues, “The full integration of Badanco into the Randa Accessories structure provides for more synergy between our divisions, the optimization of core competencies, and best practices in compliance, product development, sourcing, account support, in-store merchandising, and trend analysis. Randa welcomes Terry Tackett to our luggage division with our full support and absolute confidence in continued growth and success. We also wish the best to Peter in his future endeavors.”

Randa Accessories is the leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of lifestyle accessories including belts, wallets, neckwear, small leather goods, luggage, casual bags, business cases, and gifts. Randa also provides in-store services and training for industry-leading clients.

From its origin as a neckwear company over seventy years ago, Randa now sells best-in-class fashion, lifestyle, luxury, and private branded products to major retailers in all channels of distribution. The company's products are sold in more than 8,000 doors, worldwide.Top

The anniversary benefit this year in particular embodied the true meaning of philanthropic support with many of the attending celebrities and public political figures wearing the organization’s own line of Save the Children neckwear (of which the profits go towards benefiting various programs within the organization.)  The ties are inspired by designs from children around the world whose lives have been touched by the Save the Children organization. 

"Some people wear their heart on their sleeve... wearing your heart around your neck is more effective at showing the alignment of your belief and your actions. Randa is pleased to help in the creation and distribution of Save the Children neckwear and appreciates the support of President Bush, Melinda Gates and so many others that support this worthy cause." David J. Katz, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer - Randa Accessories. Top

President George H.W. Bush, Melinda Gates, Save the Children CEO Charles MacCormack.

“We are pleased to have Badanco Enterprises, Inc., a leader in the luggage category, as our new partner,” said Denise V. Seegal, President and CEO of VF Sportswear, Inc.  “Travel and the feeling of freedom associated with it are at the core of the Nautica® brand. We are confident that Badanco is the right partner for us and look forward to a mutually successful business together.”

“Badanco is pleased to enter into this important strategic alliance with Nautica®,” states Peter Corritori, President and CEO of Badanco Luggage. “The brand is in perfect alignment with the growing segment of active lifestyle consumers who prefer premium products when they travel.  Nautica® is an important addition to our portfolio and an integral part of our marketing strategy.”

Founded in 1983, Nautica® is a leading global lifestyle brand with products ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories to a complete home collection.  Nautica® products are styled in timeless design and premium quality that enhance our consumer’s energetic lifestyle yet recognize their desire for balance.  In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation a world leader in branded apparel including jeanswear, sportswear, outdoor products and workwear.  Its principal brands include Lee®, Wrangler®, John Varvatos®, Jansport®, Eastpak®, The North Face®, Vans®, Napapijri®, Kipling® and Reef®.   For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com. Top