Iconix Brand to enter Polish market

Licensing company, Iconix Brand, which owns such clothing brands as Umbro, Ed Hardy or London Fog is looking for franchisees in Poland, daily Puls Biznesu wrote. The company wants to license 10 out of its 30 brands. “We've entered Western European markets and the next natural move is to expand to the East,” said Tomasz Jesionek, company's representative for Poland, Czechia and Slovakia. “We would be happy to license our products not only in Poland but in the whole region as well,” he added. According to Jesionek, Polish market is a key one, thanks to its size and growing interest in Western brands among youth. Despite recent failures of foreign clothing brands in Poland, where brands such as Dorothy Perkins, Gap or River Island had to close its shops, Jesionek remains optimistic, citing low prices and flexibility. “It's the local licensee that decides on collections look. Our HQ provides insights and has the final approval,” he said adding that the deals are not exclusive. “Our partners can produce and sell other brands as well. Our model is to provide brands, global marketing and support,” Jesionek explained.