From 2026, Umbro’s France business will be managed by the Drôme-based group Textiss. The company, led by Sylvain Caire and specialising in men’s underwear, notably develops its Freegun brand, as well as licensed products for Pierre Cardin and Von Dutch. Textiss is taking over Umbro’s footwear and textile licence in France, which had been held by the Royer Group for 10 years.
Textiss takes over Umbro’s footwear and textile licence for the French market – Umbro
“As owner of the Umbro brand, the Iconix Group has decided to entrust the Textiss Group with the textile and footwear licence in France from 2026, a natural evolution that continues the historic relationship between Iconix, Royer, and Textiss,” the group explained in a press release on December 19, adding that Textiss has been Umbro’s underwear and socks licensee in France for a decade.
“In agreement with the Royer Group, the licence will be subject to an organised and carefully managed transition,” said the group. “From January 2026, Textiss will manage orders for the second half of 2026, ensuring a smooth operational handover for all customers and partners.”
The American Iconix Group, a specialist in the licensed brand development model, was seeking a solution for the licence covering the key products of the British sporting goods brand it acquired from Nike in 2012. The Royer Group held the licence after taking it over in 2016.
With the French specialist in the development of footwear and sportswear brands facing difficulties, Iconix ultimately opted for the Châteauneuf-du-Rhône-based group to take on the brand’s key categories. Umbro currently outfits the Le Havre football club, HAC.
Neither the value of the deal nor details of the organisation concerning the teams that have worked or will work on the licence have been disclosed.
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