U.S. Polo Assn. 'Reaching New Heights' Delivered Record Results in 2018: Global Footprint Reaches $1.7 Billion in Retail Sales With Double-Digit Growth, Branded Retail Stores Eclipse 1,000 Doors With Expansion Into 166 Countries
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 20, 2019 (Newswire.com) - USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) announced that U.S. Polo Assn. delivered a record year on all fronts for 2018 with aggressive expansion planned for 2019 and beyond. U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association, reached $1.7 billion in global retail sales for 2018, achieving impressive double-digit growth. The brand’s footprint also expanded into 166 countries while eclipsing 1,000 branded retail stores globally as U.S. Polo Assn. continues to climb the ranks as one of the largest global licensed brands in the world.
“I am so proud of our global team and strategic partners around the world who worked extremely hard to deliver record financial performance while also achieving several major milestones in 2018,” praised J. Michael Prince, President & CEO of USPAGL. “We continue to execute our international expansion strategy while expanding our global retail fleet of U.S. Polo Assn. stores in key cities and markets worldwide.”
U.S. Polo Assn.’s aggressive growth has come as the result of expanding its already sizeable footprint in emerging markets such as India, China, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, while continuing to gain market share in more mature regions such as North America, Western Europe and Latin America. U.S. Polo Assn. is recognized as one of the largest brands in India and has activated a major expansion plan for China. The goal over the next several years is to be one of the largest international brands in the Chinese marketplace, strategically targeting some 500 branded retail stores. Recently, the brand also opened new markets in Scandinavia and South Africa and will soon expand into Oceania and Sub-Sahara Africa.
One of the key drivers to U.S. Polo Assn.’s growth has been its aggressive worldwide expansion of branded retail stores in an environment where many other brands are closing doors. The brand opened roughly 100 new stores in 2018 and will open another 100 locations in 2019. The expansion of its global retail fleet will see U.S. Polo Assn. surpass 1,100 retails stores in 2019. It’s worth noting that 90% of all U.S. Polo Assn’s retail stores are full-price doors, representing a much lower percentage of outlet locations when compared to most other multi-billion-dollar brands. U.S. Polo Assn.’s recent store expansion includes high-profile destinations like the strip in Las Vegas, Istanbul’s new international airport, City Life in Milan and Dubai Mall. Additionally, the brand recently completed a renovation of its Time Square Store, recognized as the brand’s most high-profile flagship in the world. The Times Square store is also the inspiration behind U.S. Polo Assn.’s new “high energy” retail concept that will launch in several key markets in late 2019. The energy store will showcase new and amazing products while engaging consumers in both the brand and the sport of polo in a more meaningful “experiential” way.
During 2018’s record year, U.S. Polo Assn. also continued its “Live Authentically” campaign and its ongoing support of polo by sponsoring events as well as working with polo players around the world. The brand sponsored key influencer events in aspirational locations such as Aspen, Monte Carlo and Palm Beach as well as collegiate programs, women’s polo and important causes such as Sentebale, which supports disadvantaged youth in Africa and was co-founded by the Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry). The brand was also instrumental in the inaugural launch of the GAUNTLET OF POLO® series which offered $1,000,000 in prize money, the richest purse in the history of polo, and included many of the world’s best players. The event, showcased on television, targeted more than 100 countries and garnered over 4 million viewers worldwide, considered the largest global audience to have ever watched a polo game, bringing more recognition to the sport and the brand.
“We continue to have our foot on the accelerator in 2019 as the year is off to a great start while we activate several new initiatives involving digital, retail and product collaborations along with a new global creative center,” commented Prince. “There is no other brand closer to the sport of polo in the world than U.S. Polo Assn., and the future has never been brighter for both the sport and the brand.”
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About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc.
U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the nonprofit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States founded in 1890, making it one of the oldest sports governing bodies. With a global footprint of $1.7B and worldwide distribution through 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. stores, department stores, independent retailers and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers sport-inspired apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories, footwear, travel and home goods in 166 countries worldwide.
USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and the exclusive worldwide licensor for the USPA’s global licensing program. USPAGL is the steward of the USPA’s intellectual properties, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Additionally, USPAGL also produces global broadcasts to bring the sport of polo to millions of consumers and sports fans around the world, including the new Gauntlet of Polo series, which is the sport’s largest prize at $1,000,000 and features many of the world’s best polo players.
For media and general inquiries, please contact:
Shannon Stilson, Senior Director of Marketing – USPAGL
sstilson@uspagl.com, 561.227.6994
Visit us @uspoloassn and uspolo.org.
Source: USPA Global Licensing Inc.
