Cherokee Inc.

US-based apparel and footwear company

Cherokee Inc.

Company type| Public
Industry| Manufacturing
Founded| 1973; 52 years ago (1973)
Founder| James Argyropoulos
Headquarters|

Sherman Oaks, California

United States

Key people

| Jess Ravich (Chairman)
Henry Stupp (CEO)
Howard Siegel (COO)
Steven L Brink (CFO)
Products| Clothing
Accessories
Shoes
Parent| Galaxy Universal
Subsidiaries| Hi-Tec
Website| www.galaxycorp.com

Cherokee Inc., also known as Apex Global Brands, is an American based global apparel and footwear company, headquartered in Sherman Oaks, California.[1] The company was established in 1973 and its brands are available in 110 countries in 12,000 retail locations and on digital commerce.[2]

Cherokee owns a number of fashion and lifestyle brands, including: Cherokee, Cherokee Workwear, Carole Little, Tony Hawk Signature Apparel and Hawk Brands, 900 Tony Hawk, Liz Lange, Sideout, Hi-Tec, Magnum, 50 Peaks, Interceptor, Everyday California, Point Cove, Saint Tropez, Chorus Line, All That Jazz, Ale by Allesandra, Teen Hearts and Flip Flop Shops.

## History

[edit]

### Founding

[edit]

In 1973, James Argyropoulos, the son of a Greek immigrant, launched custom-made footwear designs and began to sell them from his Venice Beach, California home. Soon it was stocked by department stores, including Macy's and Bloomingdale's.

In the early 1980s, the brand expanded to selling women's and children's apparel. During this time, it became available worldwide.

In the 1990s, Cherokee established a partnership with Target.[3]

The headquarters at Sherman Oaks, California employs 51-200 employees.

In 2021, Apex Global Brands was acquired by Galaxy Universal.[4]

### Filing for bankruptcy protection

[edit]

It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in both 1993 and 1994, but continued to trade.

### Expansion

[edit]

A Cherokee shirt tag at a Zellers in Quebec when the brand was being sold there

In 1997, it acquired Sideout.[5]

From 2002, Cherokee was sold at Tesco in the United Kingdom until 2015, when Argos took over the rights to sell the brand.[6] However, following the 2016 acquisition of Argos by the UK retailer Sainsbury's, the Cherokee brand was quietly dropped and replaced by Sainsbury's own Tu brand of clothing in 2017.[citation needed]

In December 2002, the company further expanded by acquiring the Carole Little,[7] Saint Tropez, All That Jazz and Chorus Line brands and CL Fashion trademarks.[8]

From 2013 to 2015 Cherokee was sold at Target Canada stores and was acquired by Sears Canada. Prior to Target, the label was sold by Zellers in Canada since 1998.[citation needed]

In January 2014, Cherokee acquired the worldwide Tony Hawk and Hawk signature apparel brands. In May 2015, Cherokee acquired casual lifestyle brand Everyday California.

On September 10, 2015, Cherokee announced[9] Target would cease carrying the brand when its license expires on January 31, 2017. As of 2022 some Target shops do carry Cherokee products but on a non exclusive basis.

In October 2015, Cherokee acquired Flip Flop Shops, a franchise retail chain offering flip flops, casual footwear and accessories.[10]

In November 2016, Cherokee acquired the Hi-Tec[11] and Magnum brands.[12]

## Operations

[edit]

Back view of Cherokee Workwear drawstring pants

Cherokee comprises a number of fashion and lifestyle brands:

### Cherokee

[edit]

Cherokee is the core eponymous brand, licensed in over 50 countries.

### Cherokee Workwear

[edit]

Cherokee Workwear is a brand that was introduced in 2004, which manufactures medical scrubs.

### Carole Little

[edit]

The Carole Little collection comprises items for work, travel and leisure.

### Tony Hawk Signature Apparel and Hawk Brands

[edit]

Tony Hawk is an "action lifestyle" range.

### 900 Tony Hawk

[edit]

900 Tony Hawk is a skateboard brand.

### Liz Lange

[edit]

Liz Lange is a maternity wear brand.

### Sideout

[edit]

Sideout was founded in 1983 and comprises athletic wear, sportswear and active wear.

### Hi-Tec

[edit]

Hi-Tec[13] is a privately held[14] producer and distributor of sportswear and accessories, headquartered in the Netherlands.[15]

### Magnum

[edit]

Magnum is a footwear brand.

### 50 Peaks

[edit]

50 Peaks is a brand which creates outdoor footwear, equipment and apparel.

### Interceptor

[edit]

Interceptor is a tactical boots brand.

### Everyday California

[edit]

Everyday California is a "casual style outfit" brand.

### Point Cove

[edit]

Point Cove is a Californian brand which sells clothing, footwear and accessories.

### Saint Tropez

[edit]

Saint Tropez is designed for younger women.

### Chorus Line

[edit]

Founded in 1975 by three men in southern California, Chorus Line is a moderately priced apparel company which initially begun as a retail company focusing exclusively on juniors collections. Chorus Line has branched out to include designs specifically aimed towards women in their 20s and 30s as well as petite and plus size divisions.

### All That Jazz

[edit]

All That Jazz appeals to a teenage female customer base and with low prices.

### Flip Flop Shops

[edit]

Flip Flop Shops was founded in 2004 and is a retail chain retailing popular brands and flip flops and casual footwear.

## See also

[edit]

* Hi-Tec
* Tony Hawk
* Liz Lange

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Cherokee Moves Corporate Headquarters". Los Angeles Business Journal. 23 December 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
2. ^ "CHEROKEE INC's revenue, funding, news & more | PipeCandy". pipecandy.com. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
3. ^ "Cherokee is making a name for itself in more nations". Los Angeles Times. 6 January 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
4. ^ "Apex Global Brands Announces Agreement to Be Acquired by Galaxy Universal LLC for $2.00 Per Share in All Cash Deal". GLOBE NEWSWIRE. 16 February 2021.
5. ^ "Cherokee to Buy Rights to Sideout Properties". Los Angeles Times. 1997-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
6. ^ "Argos takes over rights to sell Cherokee clothing". The Guardian. 21 January 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
7. ^ "Cherokee Acquires Carol Little, Chorus Line Brands". California Apparel News. 20 December 2002. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
8. ^ "Cherokee Acquires CL Fashion Trademarks". Just Style. 18 December 2002. Archived from the original on 2020-09-20. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
9. ^ "Target to drop Cherokee brand products in U.S. from 2017". Yahoo News. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
10. ^ "Cherokee goes shopping: acquires Flip Flop Shops". Fashion United UK. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
11. ^ "Cherokee to Acquire Hi-Tec Shoemaker for $96 Million". San Fernando Valley Business Journal. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-11-30. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
12. ^ "Hi-Tec To Be Sold To Cherokee Global Brands". SGBMedia. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
13. ^ "hi-tec". Hi-Tec. Archived from the original on 1999-11-28. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
14. ^ Brettman, Allan (May 14, 2013). "Hi-Tec Sports banks on Zuuk shoe for market distinction". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
15. ^ Cyr, Brian (November 19, 2013). "Hi-Tec Sports, the footwear and apparel brand, hires U.S.-based design director". Oregon Live. Retrieved 28 July 2015.