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3/08/2006
SKECHERS To Launch Skate Footwear with Leading Action Sport Brand Zoo York
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2006--SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), a global leader in the lifestyle footwear industry, today announced that it has signed a licensing agreement to design, develop and market men's footwear worldwide for the premier action sport lifestyle brand Zoo York. The agreement is the latest milestone in the successful growth of Zoo York, which, under parent company Marc Ecko, has emerged as a prominent lifestyle brand in the lucrative extreme and board sport industries.
"Zoo York has a firm foothold in a number of very tight, exclusive markets," said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. "The brand's credibility has grown beyond its roots among New York graffiti artists and skateboarders to include BMX, motocross and board sport enthusiasts, as well as aspirational consumers who desire that lifestyle. We believe this is an exceptional opportunity for SKECHERS to enter a new consumer and account base -- appearing in skate and surf shops and building our offering in specialty and high-end department stores."
Greenberg added: "We are pleased with accounts' initial reactions at WSA's The Shoe Show and MAGIC last month, where we debuted men's Zoo York product. Seeing the growth potential with this leading action sports brand, some key accounts have already gotten on board."
"Zoo York is a decade into its reign as highly respected skate apparel. Known for its bold style and skateboarding, graffiti and hip hop influences, it's become a major force in streetwear -- and shoes are a natural evolution, especially in the skate market," said Marci Tapper, president of Zoo York. "With SKECHERS' success in the urban, fashion and athletic markets, we believe it's the perfect company for Zoo York to make an even bigger impact in the skate industry as a complete lifestyle brand."
Designed to reflect and appear alongside its popular apparel lines, Zoo York footwear for men is slated for a Back-to-School 2006 launch in the United States and select countries around the globe. SKECHERS also has the rights to Zoo York footwear for women and kids.
SKECHERS' partnership with Zoo York follows the Company's successful introduction of three brands for Marc Ecko: the athletic casual brands Unltd. by Marc Ecko for men/boys and Rhino Red Footwear for women/girls in 2004, and the recently introduced fashion brand Red by Marc Ecko Footwear for women.
SKECHERS USA, Inc., based in Manhattan Beach, Calif., designs, develops and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under 14 unique brand names. SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via department and specialty stores, Company-owned SKECHERS retail stores and its e-commerce website, as well as in over 100 countries and territories through the Company's global network of distributors and Canadian and European subsidiaries. Please visit www.skechers.com or call the Company's information line at 877-INFO-SKX.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements and reported results shall not be considered an indication of the Company's future performance. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include international, national and local general economic, political and market conditions; intense competition among sellers of footwear for consumers; changes in fashion trends and consumer demands; popularity of particular designs and categories of products; the level of sales during the spring, back-to-school and holiday selling seasons; the ability to anticipate, identify, interpret or forecast changes in fashion trends, consumer demand for its products and the various market factors described above; the ability of the Company to maintain its brand image; the ability to sustain, manage and forecast the Company's growth and inventories; the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; the loss of any significant customers, decreased demand by industry retailers and cancellation of order commitments; potential disruptions in manufacturing related to overseas sourcing and concentration of production in China, including, without limitation, difficulties associated with electrical shortages, labor shortages or work stoppages that may lead to production delays; changes in monetary controls and valuations of the Yuan by the Chinese government; increased costs of freight and transportation to meet delivery deadlines; business disruptions due to energy shortages or natural disasters such as an earthquake in California where its domestic warehouse, headquarters and a substantial number of its retail stores are located; changes in business strategy or development plans; the ability to obtain additional capital to fund operations, finance growth and service debt obligations; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; compliance with recent corporate governance legislation including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the disruption, expense and potential liability associated with existing or unanticipated future litigation; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
Contacts
SKECHERS USA, Inc.
Jennifer Clay, 310-937-1326
or
Zoo York
Marci Tapper, 917-262-1095
"Zoo York has a firm foothold in a number of very tight, exclusive markets," said Michael Greenberg, president of SKECHERS. "The brand's credibility has grown beyond its roots among New York graffiti artists and skateboarders to include BMX, motocross and board sport enthusiasts, as well as aspirational consumers who desire that lifestyle. We believe this is an exceptional opportunity for SKECHERS to enter a new consumer and account base -- appearing in skate and surf shops and building our offering in specialty and high-end department stores."
Greenberg added: "We are pleased with accounts' initial reactions at WSA's The Shoe Show and MAGIC last month, where we debuted men's Zoo York product. Seeing the growth potential with this leading action sports brand, some key accounts have already gotten on board."
"Zoo York is a decade into its reign as highly respected skate apparel. Known for its bold style and skateboarding, graffiti and hip hop influences, it's become a major force in streetwear -- and shoes are a natural evolution, especially in the skate market," said Marci Tapper, president of Zoo York. "With SKECHERS' success in the urban, fashion and athletic markets, we believe it's the perfect company for Zoo York to make an even bigger impact in the skate industry as a complete lifestyle brand."
Designed to reflect and appear alongside its popular apparel lines, Zoo York footwear for men is slated for a Back-to-School 2006 launch in the United States and select countries around the globe. SKECHERS also has the rights to Zoo York footwear for women and kids.
SKECHERS' partnership with Zoo York follows the Company's successful introduction of three brands for Marc Ecko: the athletic casual brands Unltd. by Marc Ecko for men/boys and Rhino Red Footwear for women/girls in 2004, and the recently introduced fashion brand Red by Marc Ecko Footwear for women.
SKECHERS USA, Inc., based in Manhattan Beach, Calif., designs, develops and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under 14 unique brand names. SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via department and specialty stores, Company-owned SKECHERS retail stores and its e-commerce website, as well as in over 100 countries and territories through the Company's global network of distributors and Canadian and European subsidiaries. Please visit www.skechers.com or call the Company's information line at 877-INFO-SKX.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements and reported results shall not be considered an indication of the Company's future performance. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include international, national and local general economic, political and market conditions; intense competition among sellers of footwear for consumers; changes in fashion trends and consumer demands; popularity of particular designs and categories of products; the level of sales during the spring, back-to-school and holiday selling seasons; the ability to anticipate, identify, interpret or forecast changes in fashion trends, consumer demand for its products and the various market factors described above; the ability of the Company to maintain its brand image; the ability to sustain, manage and forecast the Company's growth and inventories; the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; the loss of any significant customers, decreased demand by industry retailers and cancellation of order commitments; potential disruptions in manufacturing related to overseas sourcing and concentration of production in China, including, without limitation, difficulties associated with electrical shortages, labor shortages or work stoppages that may lead to production delays; changes in monetary controls and valuations of the Yuan by the Chinese government; increased costs of freight and transportation to meet delivery deadlines; business disruptions due to energy shortages or natural disasters such as an earthquake in California where its domestic warehouse, headquarters and a substantial number of its retail stores are located; changes in business strategy or development plans; the ability to obtain additional capital to fund operations, finance growth and service debt obligations; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; compliance with recent corporate governance legislation including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the disruption, expense and potential liability associated with existing or unanticipated future litigation; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
Contacts
SKECHERS USA, Inc.
Jennifer Clay, 310-937-1326
or
Zoo York
Marci Tapper, 917-262-1095
# posted by Clyde @ 2:31 AM 
