Joe Fresh and the ALDO Group Announce Global Agreement

TORONTO, March 26, 2015  /CNW/ - (TSX:L) – Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw") and its affiliates, the owners of the Joe Fresh brand, today announced the signing of a global license agreement with the ALDO Group for the design, production and distribution of footwear under the Joe Fresh brand.

The agreement encompasses women's, men's and kids' footwear collections, with the first Joe Fresh products from the ALDO Group launching in Spring 2016. Joe Fresh and the ALDO Group will collaborate closely to deliver footwear that fulfills the Joe Fresh promise of accessible, modern style with exceptional value.

"Collaborating with a leading Canadian footwear maker affords us the opportunity to create an expanded shoe assortment with all the style, quality and value customers expect from Joe Fresh. The ALDO Group's best-in-class expertise in the category will bring a new level of design, production and distribution to this rapidly growing segment of the Joe Fresh business. We see powerful growth opportunities in footwear for both new and existing channels of Joe Fresh distribution," said Mario Grauso, President of Joe Fresh.

Founded in Montreal in 1972, the ALDO Group is a world leader in footwear and accessories, operating over 1,800 stores in 93 countries. Its ALDO Product Services (APS) division operates branded wholesale, private label and brand management services for fashion and retail partners.

"We are thrilled to be the exclusive footwear supplier to such an exciting and dynamic brand like Joe Fresh," says Nicholas F. Martire, Vice-President of ALDO Product Services. "APS will have a team dedicated to the design, development and direct sourcing all of the footwear for Joe Fresh globally. By leveraging the ALDO Group's 40+ years of experience in footwear, APS will be able to help Joe Fresh bring to life their global strategy and vision".

This new initiative will accelerate growth of the Joe Fresh footwear business in its freestanding stores, grocery locations, e-commerce sites, wholesale and international businesses. Joe Fresh shops within top Loblaw locations will undergo a large-scale redesign and renovation later this year, and will launch new dedicated zones for women's, men's and children's footwear.

The expanded footwear assortments are a key element to the growing lifestyle offerings from Joe Fresh, which include apparel, accessories, intimates, eyewear, color cosmetics and skincare products.

About Joe Fresh

Founded in 2006, Joe Fresh is one of Canada's leading sources for modern style and accessible design, offering comprehensive lifestyle collections for men, women and children. Joe Fresh delivers quality and compelling value in categories spanning apparel, accessories, footwear and Joe Fresh Beauty® cosmetics. In Canada, Joe Fresh products are available online and in more than 350 retail locations, including 14 freestanding and studio stores. In the United States, Joe Fresh is available online and in 6 freestanding stores in New York, including a flagship in the landmark 510 Fifth Avenue building. The brand is also sold in 200 J.C. Penney stores. Since 2014, Joe Fresh has opened its first stores in South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with local partners. For more information, please visit joefresh.com.

About Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX:L)

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unitholder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.

Loblaw's purpose - Live Life Well - puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the Company's stores.  Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; no-fee banking with PC Financial; affordable Joe Fresh fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus™ and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies. For more information, please visit loblaw.ca.

About The ALDO Group / ALDO Product Services

ALDO Product Services is a division of the ALDO Group dedicated to providing branded wholesale and private label fashion footwear and accessories. Through its work with a select group of global retailers, APS creates and develop brands by offering all the tools and resources to help companies succeed, from direct sourcing, product design and development to branding, marketing and distribution. The ALDO Group, founded in 1972, is one of the world's leading fashion retailers, operating over 1,800 retail stores in 93 countries. For more information, visit www.aldogroup.com

SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited - Joe Fresh

Related Links

www.loblaw.ca