Licensing agreement forged with retail tycoon
Sir Tom Hunter's brand management company AJT(IP) has acquired the UK menswear, womenswear and sportswear license for streetwear brand Kangol.

The deal is part of Kangol's international strategy to forge licensing partnerships with retailers rather than wholesalers, in order to create a more direct route to market.

Hunter's (pictured) West Coast Capital group owns fashion chains d2 and USC, as well as footwear retailers Qube and Office. The Kangol menswear line will be on sale in d2 from spring next year. A womenswear and sportwear launch will follow, although it is not yet known which fascia will be used.

AJT(IP) managing director Alan Kinney said: 'Adding Kangol to our portfolio of brands gives us the opportunity to reach consumers across a number of new market segments. The international appeal of Kangol fits with our ambitions for our other brands.'

Kangol chief executive officer David Heys said: 'We are sure that, with Kangol's product excellence and powerful brand image married to AJT's retail skills and territory coverage, we will achieve great results in 2006.'

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