The parent company of franchise retailer The Athlete’s Foot will add niche sports footwear label Saucony to its portfolio in December and has also acquired Podium Sports, a nine-store chain selling athletic footwear and apparel clearance stores in outlets malls and DFOs.

RCG Corporation has secured a five year exclusive distribution agreement for the Saucony brand in Australia and New Zealand. The shoe line is already sold through The Athlete’s Foot outlets.

Hilton Brett, RCG CEO, said “Saucony is a highly credible, award winning, international athletic brand with huge growth potential. Its profile, both in terms of market position and growth opportunity, is a perfect fit for RCG.

“Together with the recently announced Sperry Top-Sider licence, the acquisition of Saucony will fuel additional growth in RCG and move us closer to our goal of becoming the lead player in premium branded footwear in Australia,” Brett said.

Franchisees are expected to be able to match the level of growth with the Saucony brand that was achieved with the Merrell label.

The addition of Podium Sports to the group will help protect the business, said Brett.

“It is necessary for any distribution business to have an efficient and well managed clearance strategy in orger to protect the business and margins of its premium retail customers. Podium is an excellent example of this strategy in action and will help to further ensure that RCG’s customers continue to be supported by a well-managed brand strategy.”