Liz Claiborne Inc. to Become Fifth & Pacific Companies

Liz Claiborne Inc. announces it is changing its name to "Fifth & Pacific Companies" to better communicate its strategic focus on growing its three global lifestyle brands (Juicy Couture, kate spade and Lucky Brand) and reflect the sale of the Liz Claiborne namesake brand to J.C. Penney, among other recent transactions. The change is expected to be effective on or about May 15, 2012 at which time the company will begin trading as Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc.

 

"While it's difficult to replace an iconic name like Liz Claiborne, we believe that Fifth & Pacific Companies telegraphs who we are today – taking inspiration from New York and California, while describing our reach and our potential. From New York to Los Angeles to Shanghai and beyond, our intrinsically American brands have global appeal, serving customers worldwide with high quality and imaginative product," says Liz Claiborne Inc. Chief Executive Officer William L. McComb. "With the steps we've taken, the new Fifth & Pacific Companies is financially stronger, with a healthy balance sheet and significantly reduced operating risk and complexity. Moreover, we are anchored by three, high-growth retail-based brands with significant expansion potential in global markets, spanning multiple product categories. In short, ours is a momentum portfolio, poised for growth and global expansion."

 

The announcement of the Fifth & Pacific Companies name marks the next chapter in the company's transition from primarily serving department stores to a direct-to-consumer retailer built around three highly distinctive premium brands with global appeal. Today, Juicy Couture, kate spade and Lucky Brand offer high growth and high margin opportunities in the U.S. as well as abroad. Moreover, in the past year the company completed five transactions that raised $471 million and allowed for significant debt reduction.