| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products |
|
| Parent | Itochu |
| Website | lesportsac |
LeSportsac Inc. is an American handbag, luggage, and travel accessories company. It is owned currently by Itochu Corp.
Company
LeSportsac, Inc. started in 1974,[1] by Melvin and Sandy Schifter as a travel accessories retail company that introduced a brand of luggage. Until the sale of the company LeSportsac products were made in the United States. Melvin and Sandy Schifter informally retired from day-to-day operations around 1990 leaving Melvin's son Tim Schifter to manage the company.[2] During Tim's management the brand was revitalized and began to collaborate with fresh and innovative designers and brands. During November 2005, Accessory Network Group (“ANG”) purchased LeSportsac Inc.[3]
During March 2011, Itochu Corp purchased the remaining assets owned by ANG. Currently Itochu Corp owns the world wide rights to the LeSportsac name and products.
Distribution
In 2001, LeSportsac opened its first US main store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan (closed in 2019). Presently, LeSportsac’s primary U.S. distribution is by means of the LeSportsac website.
Internationally, LeSportsac sells through exclusive distributors in Asia, South America, Europe, the Mid-Pacific and the Middle East. Its products are sold in more than 20 countries worldwide including Canada, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore.[4]
Collaborations
LeSportsac has collaborated with the following brands, designers, and artists:
Diane Von Furstenberg, Jonathan Adler, J. Mendel, The O.C., Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B., Kat Reeder, Tokidoki, Stella McCartney, Paper (magazine), Seventeen (American magazine), Lilly Pulitzer, JOYRICH, Covergirl, Fafi, BFree, Fifi Lapin, Matsu, Sara Schwartz, Amy Davis, Mika Ninagawa, AVAF, Katharina Leuzinger, Piano Fuzz, Jeremyville, Marisabel, Manoush, Erickson Beamon, Disney "It's a Small World," Rifle Paper Co, Liberty Art Fabrics (Liberty of London), Peanuts, Christie Shinn, Peter Jensen (fashion designer), Nintendo , Sesame Workshop[5][6] and The Pokemon[7].
References
- ^ "About LeSportsac | lesportsac.com". www.lesportsac.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ Louie, Elaine (2001-12-23). "Big-Name Bags Made for Small Purses". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ "Accessory Network Group LLC Finalizes Deal to Acquire LeSportsac, Inc". prnewswire.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "LeSportsac, Inc.: Private Company Information - Businessweek". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
- ^ "LeSportsac and Sesame Workshop Team Up for a New Collaboration". anbmedia. September 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "New LeSportsac x Sesame Street Collab Is All About Fun". Red Tricycle. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "The Pokémon X Lesportsac Collection That All Pokémon Lovers Must Have". weekender. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.