Accent Group

Accent Group Limited

Company type	Public
Industry	Footwear and apparel retail, wholesale, and distribution
Founded	1988
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia, New Zealand
Products	Footwear, apparel

Accent Group Limited is a footwear and apparel company engaged in retail, wholesale, and distribution across Australia and New Zealand. It manages more than 900 stores representing 19 distinct brands, alongside over 20 digital sales channels. The company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

History

Originating in 1988 as a modest wholesaler based in New Zealand, Accent Group was purchased by RCG Corporation in 2015 for close to $200 million. Subsequently, RCG changed its name to Accent Group Limited in November 2017.

During the late 2010s and early 2020s, Accent Group pursued growth through acquisitions. Notably, in April 2021, it acquired Glue Store and the wholesale and distribution operations of Next Athleisure for $13 million. This transaction incorporated brands like Nude Lucy, Beyond Her, Lulu & Rose, along with distribution rights for labels such as Superga, Ellesse, Le Coq Sportif, Kappa, K-Way, Sebago, and Napapijri.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted operations in 2020, resulting in the closure of over 400 outlets during lockdown periods. Although sales fell short by $86 million between July and October 2020 due to these restrictions, Accent Group experienced a notable increase in online revenue.

In FY2021, the company achieved its fourth consecutive year of record profits, with revenue hitting $1.14 billion—a year-over-year growth of 19.9%. Nonetheless, pandemic-related store shutdowns again impacted sales during the latter half of 2021. Early 2022 saw further declines in customer visits amid the Omicron variant surge, prompting Accent Group to refrain from issuing guidance for the first half of 2022 due to supply chain challenges. Wilson Asset Management projected better outcomes as restrictions lifted.

In February 2024, Accent Group declared it would gradually eliminate the franchise framework for its The Athlete's Foot brand, moving toward full ownership as existing franchise contracts expire over a five-year period.

By August 2024, British retailer Frasers Group had acquired a 14.65% shareholding in Accent Group, which rose to 19.57% by April 2025. At that time, both companies agreed on a partnership for Accent to introduce and operate the Sports Direct retail chain across Australia and New Zealand under a 25-year agreement. Plans include opening at least 50 Sports Direct stores plus launching an online platform within six years. The deal also involves Accent acquiring Frasers’ discount e-commerce site MySale and gaining access to Frasers’ portfolio of brands.

Original brands

• 4Workers is a workwear label that debuted its first store in May 2021.
• Article One is a contemporary fashion brand originating from Sydney since 2016.
• Autry features footwear inspired by American styles from the 1980s.
• Beyond Her is an Australian brand focusing on casual apparel.
• EXIE offers active-streetwear designed for Australian women.
• First Muse creates fitted casual clothing.
• Glue Store serves as an Australian premium fashion retailer.

• Hype DC operates sneaker retail outlets throughout Australia and New Zealand.
• ITNO is a footwear brand based in Melbourne.
• Stylerunner is a women's sportswear and sneaker brand founded in 2012; after entering receivership, it was acquired by Accent Group in November 2019. Its inaugural flagship store opened in Sydney’s Mosman suburb in March 2022.
• Lulu & Rose presents womenswear with a contemporary nostalgic aesthetic.
• Nude Lucy is a casual womenswear label established in Sydney in 2010.
• PIVOT retails sportwear, casual clothing, and workwear within Australia.

• Platypus is a well-established footwear retail chain operating 167 stores across Australia and another 34 stores in New Zealand as of November 2023.
• SUBTYPE is a premium sneaker and apparel retailer founded in Sydney in 2014 with outlets located throughout major Australian cities and Auckland.
• The Trybe was a children's fashion brand divested in 2024.

Licensed Brands

• The Athlete's Foot represents a Swiss-origin footwear and apparel label, also operating as a retail chain.
• CAT Footwear and Apparel, inspired by Caterpillar, focuses on products suited for manual labor environments. Accent Group secured distribution rights in 2010, launching its inaugural store in Werribee, Melbourne in 2009. The CAT distribution contract was not renewed following its conclusion at the end of 2024.
• Dr. Martens, a British footwear brand founded in 2009, established its first manufacturing facility outside the UK in Dunedin back in 1989. Accent Group holds exclusive distribution rights across Australia and New Zealand, managing stores located in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Auckland (with two outlets), and Wellington.
• Henleys is a menswear and womenswear label originating from the United Kingdom.
• Herschel Supply Co. is a Canadian brand specializing in backpacks and related accessories.
• In 2022, Accent Group became the exclusive distributor of Hoka One One, a running shoe brand owned by Deckers Brands, within Australia.
• KWAY is recognized as a French brand producing waterproof jackets.
• Kappa is an Italian company known for its sportswear products.
• Established in 1882, Le Coq Sportif is a longstanding French sports apparel brand.
• Merrell, an American outdoor footwear brand, was added to Accent Group’s portfolio in 2010; currently, Accent operates 17 retail locations under this brand.
• Since 2011, Palladium, a French footwear label, has been licensed to Accent Group.
• Reebok, the American sports footwear and apparel brand, joined Accent Group's offerings during the second quarter of 2022.
• Saucony is an American brand focusing on running shoes and athletic apparel.
• Sebago provides American-made boating, deck, and dress shoes.
• Sneaker Lab, a sneaker brand from South Africa, has been distributed by Accent Group since 2018.
• Skechers, an American footwear brand and retailer, is part of the Accent Group portfolio.
• Since 2014, Accent Group has distributed Sperry, an American boat shoe brand, within Australia.
• Established in 2009, Stance manufactures American socks, underwear, and T-shirts; Accent Group has handled its distribution since 2011.
• Founded in 1911, Superga is an Italian tennis shoe company.
• Supra specializes in American skateboarding footwear.
• The American outdoor clothing and footwear company Timberland operates four stores—three located in Auckland and one in Wellington.
• Vans is an American brand known for skateboarding footwear and fashion apparel.