Nice Footwear Expands Ellesse License :  Italian footwear specialist Nice Footwear, which has held the license for developing, producing, and distributing Ellesse sneakers in Italy for the past decade, has expanded its partnership with Pentland, the UK holding company that owns the Ellesse brand, by adding the French market to its license agreement. This strategic move not only strengthens Nice Footwear’s presence in the French market but also opens up new avenues for the Ellesse brand, promising a mutually beneficial future.

Nice Footwear, with a strong foothold in the French market, further solidified its position by opening a showroom in Paris’s Marais district in January 2022. This expansion of our operations in France, made possible by our extended partnership with Pentland, will allow us to better serve our French customers and increase our market share. Bruno Conterno, President and CEO of Nice Footwear, emphasized the alignment between Ellesse’s unique heritage as an athleisure brand and Nice Footwear’s development strategy. Conterno stated, “Our plan is to consolidate Nice Footwear’s position as Italy’s leading center for footwear design and development, by promoting craftsmanship with an Industry 4.0 approach.” He added, “Relaunching an Italian brand that has made sportswear history is a major opportunity to promote local know-how and manufacturing expertise, while adopting the most advanced technology and industrial innovation.”

The extension of the license agreement underscores the successful collaboration between Nice Footwear and Ellesse. In recent years, Ellesse, founded in Perugia in 1959, has experienced a resurgence, with a 30% revenue growth in Italy in the last season. This remarkable growth is a testament to the fruitful partnership between Nice Footwear and Ellesse, instilling confidence in the partnership’s potential for further success.

Jack Richardson, Global Brand Director at Pentland Brands, praised Nice Footwear’s expertise in the footwear sector and its commitment to innovation, citing it as the ideal partner for continuing Ellesse’s relaunch plan. Richardson stated, “Following the positive results we have achieved, we are expanding our collaboration. We recently put Nice Footwear in charge of Ellesse’s global strategy, and today we are extending the license to the French market, a strategic area for Ellesse’s positioning.”

Founded in 2004 in Padua, Nice Footwear manages its own brand Kronos and two licensed brands, Lyle & Scott and Avirex. As of April 30, 2023, Nice Footwear reported a revenue of €46.9 million, a testament to its steady growth and financial stability. The company’s strategic acquisitions of Favaro Manifattura Calzaturiera Srl and Emmegi Srl further demonstrate its commitment to consolidating specialist manufacturers under its umbrella, reassuring stakeholders of its strategic vision and long-term growth.