Does Pentland Own Lacoste? The Truth Behind The Brand

Pentland Industries Ltd. changed its name to Pentland Group. The company acquired an 80% share of Speedo (Europe) Ltd. Pentland also bought the Speedo International and Speedo Australia businesses. This made Pentland the worldwide licensee for Lacoste footwear.

Let’s break down what this means for the Lacoste brand. While Pentland became the global licensee for Lacoste footwear, this doesn’t mean Pentland owns Lacoste. A license is an agreement where one company (the licensor) gives another company (the licensee) the right to use its brand, trademarks, and designs for a specific product or service. In this case, Lacoste, the licensor, granted Pentland, the licensee, the right to design, manufacture, and sell Lacoste footwear worldwide. This type of arrangement allows companies to expand into new markets or product categories without having to invest in developing those areas themselves.

The licensing agreement between Pentland and Lacoste is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Lacoste gets access to Pentland’s expertise in footwear design and manufacturing, allowing them to reach a wider audience with their iconic brand. Pentland benefits from the established brand recognition and popularity of Lacoste, giving them a strong starting point for their footwear business. So, while Pentland may not own Lacoste, they play a significant role in the brand’s global footwear success.