Japanese Giant Marubeni Acquires Iconic British Footwear Brand Gola in £46m Deal
Retro fashion continues its powerful resurgence, with heritage brands from the 70s, 80s and 90s experiencing more than just fleeting nostalgia. This enduring appeal has now triggered a significant corporate acquisition, as Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation has purchased the iconic British footwear brand Gola as part of a wider £46 million deal.
The Acquisition Details and Strategic Vision
The transaction, completed last month, saw Marubeni acquire the Jacobson Group, which held ownership and licensing rights to several footwear brands including Gola, Lonsdale, and Dunlop. While the Jacobson Group was a substantial family-founded enterprise, its new owner represents an entirely different scale of operation. Marubeni is a Tokyo-listed corporate titan with a market capitalisation of approximately 8.7 trillion yen, equivalent to around $56 billion or £41 billion.
This places the conglomerate on a similar financial footing to major institutions like Standard Chartered bank or the London Stock Exchange Group. Notably, the largest shareholder in Marubeni is Berkshire Hathaway, the investment giant long associated with legendary investor Warren Buffett.
Marubeni's next-generation division, focused on growth through strategic acquisitions, identified the Jacobson Group as a prime target. Company executives revealed to The Independent that the entire process—from initial identification to deal completion—took just three months, underscoring the aggressive pace of their expansion into consumer-facing businesses.
Gola: The Unexpected Crown Jewel
Interestingly, Gola was not initially the primary attraction for Marubeni during the acquisition process. The 120-year-old British brand emerged as a significant discovery during the due diligence phase, aligning perfectly with the conglomerate's strategic focus on heritage and retro trends.
"When Jacobson came on our radar, we discovered this established brand from the UK, and it fits our strategy perfectly," explained Marubeni's Chief Operating Officer, Toshihiro Fukumura. "We see a clear trend in retro and heritage sneakers, so it was an ideal match—we decided to jump in and make a full commitment to the transaction."
The financial muscle and global reach of Marubeni provide substantial capacity to promote Gola across international markets. The brand will be housed and distributed through RG Barry, a US-based subsidiary of Marubeni, indicating where initial commercial focus may lie.
Regional Market Strategies and Growth Potential
Marubeni executives recognise nuanced differences in the retro trend across global markets. In the United States, fashionable retro brands show stronger appeal among female consumers, with Gola already gaining popularity in this demographic. Conversely, UK consumers demonstrate a greater emphasis on authenticity within the heritage trend.
"In the UK, the retro trend persists, but consumers lean more towards authenticity," noted Mr. Fukumura. "It's challenging to articulate precisely, but it's distinctly different from the US market. We aim to revitalise Gola's brand in the UK by focusing on this retro trend, understanding it requires dedicated time, effort, and customised designs to resonate with British consumers against current competitors."
The acquisition follows impressive commercial performance. The Jacobson Group reported a 38 percent sales increase in 2024, significantly driven by Gola's resurgence, with revenue growth projected to reach 40 percent last year. Marubeni now plans to position Gola as a "main target market" brand in the US while simultaneously working to "revitalise" its presence in its British homeland.
Long-Term Integration and Future Expansion
Integration of the newly acquired brands is already underway, but Marubeni's deal-making continues apace. The company emphasises this as a long-term strategic play rather than a short-term financial manoeuvre.
"This is a long-term commitment. We intend to grow Gola sustainably," Mr. Fukumura stated. "Our approach differs from some private equity firms that must eventually exit their investments. We have a genuinely long-term strategy."
Marubeni's aggressive push into consumer businesses continues beyond footwear. The company recently secured licensing rights for products under the Clarks and Timberland brand names and added Japanese beauty brand Etvos to its portfolio. However, the century-old Gola and its sibling brands from the Jacobson acquisition represent the vanguard of this expansion strategy.
Ultimately, the success of Marubeni's strategy will hinge on whether consumers embrace Gola as a contemporary brand once more or merely regard it as a nostalgic relic. The frequency with which the iconic Gola logo appears on streets worldwide will serve as the definitive measure of this ambitious revival effort.
