Wolverine to market footwear & clothing in India

Fashion and outdoor retailer Wolverine Worldwide has signed a joint venture with Tata International to market its footwear and clothing in India. The new venture will be responsible for the wholesale distribution of Wolverine Worldwide's

Merrell and Caterpillar Footwear brands.

Wolverine formed its International Group in January 2011 to focus on international expansion. Entering into a joint venture provides Wolverine with a brand platform for further growth for the company's broader portfolio of brands throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Tata International brings significant retail and marketing expertise into the joint venture, as well as its 30 years of experience in manufacturing footwear, specifically for the Indian market. As an additional element to the business arrangement, the joint venture will have an agreement with TRENT, another Tata Group company, which operates more than 50 department stores in India. This retail alliance will further aid the expansion of the Merrell and Caterpillar Footwear brands into this important consumer market.

Commenting on the establishment of this important new joint venture, Blake W. Krueger, Wolverine Worldwide Chairman and CEO, stated, "This new partnership demonstrates the progress we are making towards our goal of expanding the global retail presence of our brands through stand-alone stores, shop-in-shops and selected wholesale distribution. This joint venture model follows the successful strategy of our owned operations in the United States, Canada and much of Europe. We believe that we have found, in Tata International, a truly remarkable partner who is equally dedicated to the success, growth and prosperity of our shared company, as well as the continued global expansion of Wolverine Worldwide's lifestyle brands."

Image: Caterpillar boots