Kontoor Brands' Lee brand has announced a partnership with eight-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves to launch its first celebrity collaboration line, "Kacey Lee." The collection features over 100 items spanning various categories, including men's and women's denim, tops, sleepwear, swimwear, accessories, and pet products. It will be available exclusively at Walmart starting May 19.
The name "Kacey Lee" combines Musgraves' first and middle names, blending Lee's denim heritage with Musgraves' classic style. Musgraves recently released her sixth studio album, "Middle of Nowhere," on May 1 and is currently on a tour of the same name, with performances scheduled for late August at venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York.
Kontoor is actively advancing the process of spinning off the Lee brand. The company initiated a competitive sale process in the first quarter and has received "strong interest from multiple parties," with a final agreement expected within 2026. The Lee business is now classified as a discontinued operation and is projected to generate approximately $750 million in revenue for the full year. Upon completion of the sale, the company plans to allocate the majority of the proceeds to accelerate its share repurchase program.
Following the spin-off of Lee, Kontoor will focus on its two remaining brands: Wrangler and Helly Hansen. In the first quarter, Wrangler's global revenue increased by 4% to $436 million, marking its 16th consecutive quarter of market share expansion. Helly Hansen's revenue grew by 16% to $176 million, with its joint venture in China achieving 100% revenue growth. Kontoor's continuing operations reported first-quarter revenue of $613 million, a 45% year-over-year increase, and adjusted earnings per share of $1.06, up 67% compared to the same period last year.
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