V.F. Corporation : Vans Targets $1 Billion Growth in Revenues and Announces New LXVITM Product Line
06/14/2012| 03:45pm US/Eastern

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VF Corporation's Largest Action Sports Brand Details Global
Strategy to Achieve $2.2 Billion in Revenues by 2016
Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel company, today
provided details on its strategy to add $1 billion in revenues over the
next five years. At an investor meeting held at the House of Vans
in Brooklyn, N.Y. - a 24,000 square-foot skatepark and event space -
Vans announced that it expects revenues to reach $2.2 billion by the end
of 2016, representing an annual growth rate of 13 percent. Vans is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC).
"Having more than tripled its revenues since being acquired in 2004,
Vans is an amazing example of the power of VF's business model that
enables brands to grow profitably and globally while protecting their
unique cultures," said Eric Wiseman, VF Corporation Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "Our investments to grow Vans across a variety of
platforms - product innovation, geographic expansion and
direct-to-consumer - have provided us with a very strong foundation to
support its next chapter of growth."
Vans President Kevin Bailey underscored the importance of the brand's
rich heritage and authenticity in achieving its growth plans. "Since
1966, we have been focused on building products that enable creative
self-expression. From our first skate shoe to today's announcement of
the LXVI line, Vans defines "Off the Wall" youth culture.
Generating increasingly more powerful connections with our consumers
while leveraging the substantial resources of VF will drive our growth
in both established and emerging markets, adding $1 billion in new
revenues by 2016."
Geographic Growth
Vans expects substantial growth in each major geographic region during
the next five years. Growth in the Americas, representing about 70
percent of total revenues in 2011, will account for nearly half of the
anticipated $1 billion in revenue growth. With balanced growth across
both wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels, a key focus will be
expansion outside Vans' core West Coast market. Major metropolitan areas
such as New York City and Mexico City, where Vans has demonstrated great
success, will be utilized as epicenters to drive brand awareness.
In EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa), Vans expects to add $350 million in
revenues by 2016. This follows a year of exceptional growth in 2011 when
Vans achieved 55 percent constant dollar revenue growth in the region.
Building on successful strategic execution in the United Kingdom, Vans
outlined how investments in social media, traditional advertising and
grassroots events will serve as a catalyst to drive continued growth
across Europe.
Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to be Vans' fastest growth region with
its largest opportunity concentrated in China. Accounting for 8 percent
of the brand's revenues in 2011, APAC revenues are expected to nearly
triple by the end of 2016, adding $170 million in growth.
Channel Growth
Vans' growth over the next five years is expected to be balanced across
both wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. Expected wholesale
revenue growth of $565 million over the period will be driven by healthy
growth in both footwear and apparel in conjunction with rapid wholesale
door expansion in the APAC region.
Vans' direct-to-consumer business, encompassing owned retail stores and
e-commerce, should add $435 million in revenues by 2016. E-commerce is
expected be Vans' highest percentage growth channel, increasing nearly
40 percent annually and adding $100 million to revenues over the next
five years. To showcase the brand's wide array of footwear and apparel
products, culture and imagery, Vans will continue to expand its retail
stores, with plans to add more than 200 stores to its existing base of
310 stores.
Product Innovation - Vans Introduces LXVITM Line
Vans also revealed its new line of LXVI footwear, which features
several new construction advances that result in a lightweight, flexible
architecture that maximizes comfort and fit for the action sports
enthusiast. Specific new innovations include:
-
LuxLiner - a free-floating liner that improves comfort through
increased airflow and fit.
-
Waffleflex - a new tread design offering increased flexibility
and decreased weight.
-
UltraCush Lite - a custom blend of foams providing superlight
cushioning.
-
ActionFit - a proprietary lifted heel fit that gives a
more lively feel to your step.
-
PleasureCuff - advanced heel and collar cushioning
offering uncompromised comfort.
-
RapidWeld - new stitch-less construction that reduces weight
while increasing durability and flexibility.
Vans LXVI footwear debuts with five innovative designs including,
the lightest Vans shoe ever, Graph; the mid-top Secant;
the all-terrain Inscribe; the modern Variable; and the
unique Ortho. The product, with prices starting at $70, is
expected to launch globally the last week of June at select Foot Locker
(NYSE: FL) locations, select specialty lifestyle retailers, select Vans
retail stores and at www.vans.com.
Additional Presenters and Replay
Additional presenters from VF and Vans included: Steve Rendle - VF Vice
President and Group President, Outdoor & Action Sports Americas; Doug
Palladini - Vice President, Vans Marketing; Rick Wood - VF President,
Outdoor & Action Sports, EMEA; and Aidan O'Meara - VF President, Asia
Pacific. An archived copy of the webcast will be available in the
investor relations section of VF Corporation's website (www.vfc.com)
within a few hours of the conclusion of the presentation and remain
available through July 14, 2012. Additionally, an event-specific
microsite (www.vansisgrowth.com)
will house presentations and other meeting materials for easy future
reference.
About Vans
Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel company, is part
of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC). Vans collections include authentic
footwear, apparel and accessories, snowboard boots and the Pro-Tec®
line of protective gear and are sold globally in more than 170 countries
through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and foreign offices.
Vans owns and operates more than 300 stores in the United States and
internationally, each offering a wide range of Vans footwear and apparel
while communicating our Brand and athletes' rich stories. Vans promotes
action sports lifestyle and youth culture through support of athletes on
boards and bikes all over the globe and through progressive events such
as the Vans® Triple Crown of Surfing® and Vans® Downtown
Showdown competitions, and Pro-Tec® Pool Party and Vans®
Warped Tour® events. More information about Vans can be found at www.vans.com,
Twitter @vans_66 and www.facebook.com/vans.
About VF Corporation
VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more
than 30 brands. The company's top six brands are The North Face®,
Wrangler®, Timberland®, Vans®,
Lee® and Nautica®; other brands include 7
For All Mankind®, Bulwark®, Eagle
Creek®, Eastpak®, Ella Moss®,
JanSport®, Kipling®, lucy®,
Majestic®, Napapijri®, Red Kap®,
Reef®, Riders®, Splendid®
and Smartwool®. VF Corporation's press releases,
annual report and other information can be accessed through its home
page at www.vfc.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this release and the attachments are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. Forward-looking statements are made based on our
expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting VF and
therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify
these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will,"
"anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "should," and "may" and other words
and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. We caution that
forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results
could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could
cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of VF to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking
statements in this release include, but are not limited to, the level of
consumer confidence and overall level of consumer demand for apparel;
fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and
contracted products; disruption to VF's distribution system; disruption
and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; VF's reliance
on a small number of large customers; the financial strength of VF's
customers; VF's response to changing fashion trends; increasing pressure
on margins; VF's ability to implement its growth strategy; VF's ability
to grow its international and direct-to-consumer businesses; VF's
ability to successfully integrate and grow acquisitions, including the
Timberland acquisition; the sale of John Varvatos Enterprises, Inc.;
VF's ability to maintain the strength and security of its information
technology systems; stability of VF's manufacturing facilities and
foreign suppliers; continued use by VF's suppliers of ethical business
practices; VF's ability to accurately forecast demand for products;
continuity of members of VF's management; VF's ability to protect
trademarks and other intellectual property rights; maintenance by VF's
licensees and distributors of the value of VF's brands; foreign currency
fluctuations; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in
international markets. More information on potential factors that could
affect VF's financial results is included from time to time in VF's
public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including VF's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q.
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Investor Relations:
VF Services
Cindy Knoebel, CFA,
336-424-6189, 212-841-7141
VP, Corporate Relations
or
Lance
Allega, 336-424-6082
Director, Investor Relations
or
Media
Relations:
Carole Crosslin, 336-424-7836
Director, Corporate
Communications
© Business Wire 2012
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