Buffet-backed Marubeni Buys Gola Sneakers Owner Jacobson Group

Dow Jones01-07

By Aimee Look

Marubeni Group said it acquired Jacobson Group, the owner of footwear brands including Gola, as the Warren Buffet-backed company aims to grow its consumer presence in the U.S.

The Japanese trading house said Wednesday that Marubeni's consumer platform, anchored by U.S. subsidiary RG Barry, will run the portfolio of footwear brands, namely Gola, Lotus, Ravel, and Frank Wright. It also has licensed brands Lonsdale and Dunlop.

Under Marubeni, the slate of brands will work with retail partners like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales for distribution, according to a spokesperson. The deal will solidify Marubeni Consumer Platform's growth strategy in the U.S., it said.

Financial details for the deal were not disclosed.

Jacobson Group's Gola brand started in 1905, making soccer cleats from leather. It rose to popularity in the 1960s after venturing into other types of shoes, with endorsement from popular athletes at the time. As the brand grew into a lifestyle shoe brand, it was sported by celebrities like Robbie Williams and Oasis' Gallagher brothers. Gola grappled with rising competition from brands like Nike and Adidas in the 1990s.

"Gola is a premium heritage brand, and maintaining its brand equity is central to our strategy," Shana Randhava, President of Marubeni Consumer Platform U.S. said in a statement.

The brand's sales growth in Europe and the U.S. led Jacobson Group's revenue rise in 2024, the company said in September filings. For 2025, the company said it expects a 40% rise in sales, it said.

Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in five trading houses Japan in March, including Marubeni.

Write to Aimee Look at aimee.look@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway holds a stake in Japanese trading house Marubeni. "Buffet-backed Marubeni Buys Gola Sneakers Owner Jacobson Group," at 1344 GMT, misspelled Buffett's name in the headline and throughout the article.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 07, 2026 09:01 ET (14:01 GMT)

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Buffet-backed Marubeni Buys Gola Sneakers Owner Jacobson Group

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