Delta Apparel Signs Licensing Deals for Salt Life Beer, Women’s Swimsuits

Delta Apparel is bringing Salt Life into craft beer and women’s swimsuits, as it seeks to raise the profile of the beach lifestyle brand, CEO Robert Humphreys told analysts. Delta, which purchased Salt Life in 2013, formed a 60% joint venture with St. Augustine, FL-based Ancient City Brewing to produce a beer that is expected to ship in the fall. Delta will receive a royalty on the beer sales, Humphreys said.

Delta will open its fifth Salt Life store, in Greenville, NC later this year; the brand is sold chainwide through The Buckle and via a 100-store test at Dillard’s last month.

Delta’s net income in Q4 ended March 31 decreased 20% to $3.6 million, as revenue fell 2% to $100 million, due partly to the sale of the Junk Food brand last year.

Contact:

Deborah Merrill, Chief Financial Officer, 864-232-5200

Newell Increases Forecast for Brand Sales to $10 Billion

Newell adds Jostens and Pure Fishing to the list of brands it is seeking to shed, company executives told analysts. Jostens produces yearbooks, class rings and other products for schools, colleges and universities, while Pure Fishing markets fishing tackle and accessories. Newell gained both brands in its $15 billion acquisition of Jarden in 2016. Other brands up for sale include Rawlings, U.S. Playing Cards and Rubbermaid Outdoor (Inside Licensing Jan. 25).

The company announced an agreement late last week to sell the Waddington brand of disposable cutlery and drinkware to Novolex for $2.3 billion. The remaining businesses, which would include Coleman, First Alert, Elmer’s, Yankee Candle, Crock-Pot and Mr. Coffee, will be spread across seven divisions that generated a combined $9 billion in revenue in 2017, an amount that it forecasts to increase to $9.5 billion by 2020, CEO Michael Polk told analysts. About 70% of that revenue will come from the U.S. market, he said.

Contact:

Newell, Ralph Nicoletti, Chief Financial Officer, 201-610-6600