UFC tackles South Korea and Japan
Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promotion company Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently launched an activewear brand in South Korea via a local distributor.
Seoul-headquartered Shinhan has the non-exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute official UFC-branded apparel, footwear and accessories in both its home market and Japan.
Following Shinhan’s release of an initial UFC capsule collection via Korean online platform Musinsa earlier this year (as well as via Japanese retailer B:ming by Beams simultaneously), the brand has officially launched in Seoul via a trunk show format at the new UFC store in the upscale Dosan area of Gangnam.
The occasion marks the first time that UFC-branded gear has launched under its own logo, local media said, following a multi-year partnership with Reebok. French performance brand Venum, which specialises in combat sports, is currently the official apparel partner of professional UFC fighters.
According to reports from within the country, the brand’s initial South Korean distribution strategy will be focused on the single aforementioned store in the country’s capital, with a view to opening this up to department stores and other major local retailers from spring, onwards. Meanwhile, a concept store and wholesale model will dominate UFC’s Japanese distribution.
The Dosan trunk show will remain in place until December 10.
Image: Apparel News.
