On January 4, 2025, New York-based Marquee Brands, which owns a portfolio of 17 businesses, including Ben Sherman and Martha Stewart, acquired the Laura Ashley brand from retail investment firm Gordon Brothers. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, though Gordon Brothers had previously paid £20.8 million to acquire Laura Ashley's brand, archive, and intellectual property following the retailer's insolvency in 2020.
Photo: Laura Ashley.
Marquee Brands, a brand accelerator, has indicated its intention to continue the licensing strategy employed by Gordon Brothers. The company will retain Laura Ashley's UK team and has set up its first European headquarters in London. Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands, commented, 'With the existing UK team in place, we are primed and ready to leverage Laura Ashley's seven-decade legacy to unlock its future potential as a full lifestyle brand innovating new products and categories.'
Gordon Brothers, who took ownership of Laura Ashley four years ago, formed partnerships with major retailers such as Next, Qualita, Graham & Brown, and Ashley Wilde. These collaborations were aimed at developing, marketing, and selling a range of home furnishing products under the Laura Ashley brand.
Marquee Brands intends to build upon this existing foundation and continue the brand's licensing efforts, aiming to expand Laura Ashley's presence across multiple product categories. The acquisition reflects Marquee Brands' strategy to reposition Laura Ashley as a full lifestyle brand, ensuring its long-term viability in the competitive home furnishings market.
As the company embarks on this new phase under Marquee Brands' ownership, the future direction of Laura Ashley appears focused on innovation and diversification, seeking to capitalise on its established heritage while expanding its reach across Europe and beyond.
Source: www.thefurnishingreport.com