Investment from Permira promises expansion for iconic outdoor brand
Investment group Permira is to acquire “a significant minority stake” in outdoor apparel brand K-Way.
K-Way launched in the 1960s and became synonymous in France with brightly coloured rain jackets in the 1970s and 1980s, especially for its Claude waterproof, packable jacket, with distinctive colourful zips inspired by the French flag. This period culminated in the brand providing skiwear for the French national team at the 1992 winter Olympics.
More difficult times followed until Italian group BasicNet acquired and revived the brand’s fortunes in 2004, although it was 2013 before the first K-Way boutique opened in Paris. Three more stores in the capital followed, plus one in Lille.
Permira has said it will focus on strengthening K-Way’s presence in France and Italy, opening new stores, expanding the product range and then looking at international growth.
