Esprit Holdings facts for kids
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| Public | |
| Traded as | SEHK: 330 |
| Industry | Retail, Fashion |
| Founded | 1968 in San Francisco, California |
| Headquarters | Bermuda (Seat); North Point, Hong Kong (HQ); Ratingen, Germany (Co-HQ); New York City, U.S. (Creative HQ) |
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Areas served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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William Pak (CEO) |
| Products | women's clothing, men's clothing, accessories, shoes, body wear, kids wear, glasses, fragrance |
| Revenue | 7,064M HK$ (2022) |
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Number of employees
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approximately 2230 employees worldwide |
Esprit Holdings Limited is a well-known global fashion company. It sells clothes, accessories, shoes, and home items. Esprit started in San Francisco, USA, and now has main offices in Hong Kong and Germany. You can find Esprit stores and products in many countries around the world.
Esprit sells its products in over 30 countries. These include places in Europe, Asia, and America. They have many stores, including partner stores and franchise stores. Esprit also has special pop-up stores in cities like Los Angeles and New York.
Contents
The Story of Esprit
How It All Began
Esprit started in 1968. It was created by a couple named Susie and Doug Tompkins. They also helped start another famous brand, The North Face. In the beginning, they sold clothes right out of a VW bus. Their apartment in San Francisco was their first office.
In 1979, Esprit hired a graphic designer named John Casado. He helped create the brand's unique logo. This logo looked like it was made with a stencil.
In 1985, Esprit launched a famous advertising campaign. It was called the "Real People Campaign." Instead of models, it showed real Esprit employees and designers. A famous photographer named Oliviero Toscani took the pictures. An Italian architect, Ettore Sottsass, also helped Esprit. He designed their European headquarters in Germany. He also helped make the Esprit stores look special. Other well-known designers like Antonio Citterio and Norman Foster also worked with Esprit.
Changes Over Time
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Esprit grew very quickly. It became a huge company, especially outside the United States. But after 2008, the company faced some challenges. They lost some money and market share. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Esprit had to close many of its stores. This included stores in China, Hong Kong, and other Asian countries.
Coming Back Strong
In 2021, William Pak became the new CEO of Esprit. He helped the company make a big comeback. In 2022, Esprit started opening new pop-up stores in Asia. They opened one in Seoul, South Korea, and another in Hong Kong. After several years of losing money, Esprit made a profit again in late 2022.
In 2022, Ana Andjelic joined Esprit as the Chief Brand Officer. She helps guide the brand's creative and marketing teams. In 2023, Esprit opened a new store in New York City. They also launched new advertising campaigns with famous photographer Richard Phibbs.
Recently, some Esprit stores in Europe have faced difficulties. In March and April 2024, the Esprit franchises in Switzerland and Belgium filed for bankruptcy. In May 2024, the main European operations also faced challenges. However, the company stated that operations would continue for now.
What Esprit Sells
Starting in 2023, Esprit changed how it designs products. They now focus on a "seasonless" collection. This means clothes can be worn all year round. They have eight main or "signature" products. These include parkas, soft suits, tracksuits, and chunky knit sweaters. They also sell button-down shirts, jeans, and a special locker bag.
Esprit sells many types of clothing. This includes everyday wear, sportswear, and swimwear. They also have special collections for men, women, and children. Beyond clothes, Esprit offers accessories like bags, shoes, and underwear.
Esprit also has a "Home" collection. This includes furniture, carpets, wallpaper, and lighting. You can also find decorative items and home textiles. For babies and young children, there's "Esprit Kids World." This line offers maternity clothes, toys, strollers, and nursery furniture.
See also
- List of Hong Kong companies
