The new Lord & Taylor owner is committed to building out the brand’s product line.
Sina Yenel, the brand’s chief strategy officer on Monday disclosed that The Kersheh Group is the exclusive licensee for Lord & Taylor’s sleepwear in the U.S. for men, women, and children. Included in the U.S. license is a product line for loungewear, according to Yenel.
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The Kersheh license includes other categories too, but for now, “socks and basic underwear will be limited to [distribution in ] Canada,” he said.
“This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for Lord & Taylor as we continue to expand our product offerings and reach new markets,” Yenel said. “The Kersheh Group’s reputation for delivering superior quality apparel aligns perfectly with our commitment to exceptional customer service and quality.”
The vertically integrated Kersheh Group has more than 40 years experience in the branded, licensed and private label apparel sector for sleepwear, loungewear and underwear.
The new Lord & Taylor site is expected to go live this year. Yenel said the brand is still “onboarding vendors,” and that the holidays pushed some deadlines further out.
As reported, Regal Brands Global (RBG) acquired the Lord & Taylor intellectual property (IP) in September. The owner has been talking with other manufacturers over the past six months to onboard vendors for a variety of categories that include soft textile goods, furniture, special occasion dresses, suiting, small leather goods, women’s sportswear and casual sportswear. According to Yenel, the plan is for both the signature Lord & Taylor brands at its online site and at select premier retailers via restricted wholesale distribution.
Still in the planning stage is a dedicated tab on the Lord & Taylor website just for the Gen Z shopper. Yenel said the focused category will feature edgier styles at affordable prices for the demographic group.
Lord & Taylor’s roots go back to 1826. The company was sold several times over the years, most recently to Saadia Group. Saadia acquired the IP in October 2020 for $12 million following the bankruptcy of Lord & Taylor and Le Tote in August 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Le Tote, a fashion rental subscription service, acquired the operation from Hudson’s Bay Co. in 2019 for $75 million.
Saadia shifted operations to an online-only format. Nearly a year ago, word surfaced that Saadia was having financial difficulties. Saadia eventually lost control over several assets, including the Lord & Taylor IP, after defaulting on a $45.3 million loan agreement with its lender White Oak Commercial Finance.