Accent Group

Accent Group Limited is an Australia- and New Zealand-focused retail, wholesaling and distribution company centred on footwear, sneakers, apparel and lifestyle products. The group operates a large multi-brand platform that combines physical stores, e-commerce sites, brand stores, wholesale relationships and licensed or distributed international labels. Its retail portfolio has included Hype DC, Platypus, The Athlete’s Foot, Stylerunner, Glue Store, SUBTYPE and other specialist concepts, while its partner-brand activities have covered labels such as Dr. Martens, Hoka, Reebok, Skechers, Timberland, Vans and many others. The business began as a small New Zealand wholesaling operation in 1988. Its scale and corporate identity changed substantially after RCG Corporation acquired Accent Group in 2015 for approximately A$200 million. RCG subsequently adopted the Accent Group name in November 2017, aligning the listed company with the acquired footwear platform and its expanding portfolio of retail and brand activities. Accent Group developed through acquisitions, new store formats, digital commerce and brand-management arrangements. Among the notable additions were the purchase of Stylerunner after its 2019 receivership, the acquisition of Glue Store and Next Athleisure’s wholesale and distribution operations in 2021, and the development of concepts spanning sneakers, performance footwear, activewear, streetwear, workwear and contemporary fashion. The group has also added and removed brands as licensing agreements, acquisitions and portfolio priorities changed. The company’s retail proposition ranges from performance and running footwear to premium sneakers, skate-inspired products, outdoor footwear, casual shoes, workwear and fashion apparel. Hype DC and Platypus are strongly associated with sneaker and streetwear culture; The Athlete’s Foot focuses more on athletic footwear and fitting-led retail; Stylerunner serves women’s activewear and sportswear customers; and Glue Store has operated as a premium youth-fashion retailer. Accent Group has also operated wholesale and distribution arrangements for third-party brands. COVID-19 lockdowns materially disrupted the store network in 2020 and 2021, with more than 400 stores closed for periods during the restrictions. Reduced physical traffic was partly offset by online sales. In 2024, the group announced that it would end franchising for The Athlete’s Foot over time, intending not to renew franchise agreements as they expired and considering acquisitions of selected franchised stores. In 2024 and 2025, Frasers Group built a substantial shareholding in Accent Group. The companies subsequently agreed that Accent would launch and operate Sports Direct in Australia and New Zealand for an initial 25-year term, with a planned store and online rollout. Accent also agreed to acquire Frasers’ MySale online fashion marketplace. The partnership gives Accent access to a broader portfolio of international sports and fashion brands, while increasing the strategic importance of the group’s retail infrastructure in the region.

Accent Group traces its origins to a small New Zealand wholesaling business established in 1988. The original operation was positioned in the footwear supply chain rather than as the large retail platform later associated with the Accent name. Its subsequent development involved the expansion of wholesale and distribution activities, the addition of retail concepts and the formation of relationships with international footwear and apparel brands. A major corporate turning point came in 2015, when RCG Corporation acquired Accent Group for approximately A$200 million. The transaction gave the Australian-listed company a stronger footwear platform and a base for further retail consolidation. In November 2017, RCG Corporation changed its name to Accent Group Limited. The renamed company increasingly presented itself as a multi-brand retail, wholesale and distribution group rather than a single-banner retailer. During the late 2010s and early 2020s, Accent Group expanded its portfolio through acquisitions, licensed-brand arrangements and new retail concepts. Its banners included Hype DC and Platypus in sneaker and streetwear retail, The Athlete’s Foot in athletic footwear, Stylerunner in women’s activewear, SUBTYPE in premium sneakers and apparel, and Glue Store in premium youth fashion. The group also developed or operated concepts such as 4Workers, PIVOT and other apparel and footwear labels. The composition of this portfolio remained fluid: some brands were acquired, some operated under licensing or distribution rights, and others were later sold, discontinued or subject to changing commercial arrangements. In November 2019, Accent acquired Stylerunner after the women’s sportswear business entered receivership. In April 2021, it agreed to purchase the Glue Store retail business and Next Athleisure’s wholesale and distribution operations. The Next Athleisure portfolio included brands such as Nude Lucy, Beyond Her, Lulu & Rose and Article One, together with distribution rights for several international labels. These moves broadened Accent’s exposure beyond footwear into fashion and activewear while retaining a strong connection to its core customer base. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the group’s dependence on physical retail. More than 400 stores were closed for at least a month during 2020 lockdowns, and further closures occurred in 2021. The restrictions caused a substantial shortfall against expectations during part of 2020, although e-commerce growth provided an offset. Accent nevertheless reported record profit for a fourth consecutive year in the 2021 financial year and reported sales of approximately A$1.14 billion, before later trading was affected by lockdowns and reduced store traffic. The Omicron wave in early 2022 and continuing supply-chain uncertainty led the company to withhold first-half guidance. Accent’s later strategy placed greater emphasis on ownership and control of its retail network. In February 2024, it announced that it would end the franchise model for The Athlete’s Foot progressively, allowing agreements to expire and examining opportunities to acquire stores. The decision was intended to give the group more direct control over the brand’s store estate and customer experience, although implementation was expected to occur over several years. The group’s strategic relationship with Frasers Group became significant in 2024 and 2025. Frasers acquired a 14.65% stake in Accent in August 2024 and increased it to 19.57% in April 2025. The companies then agreed to introduce Sports Direct to Australia and New Zealand under an initial 25-year operating arrangement. Accent planned to establish at least 50 stores and an online operation over the following six years. The transaction also included Accent’s acquisition of MySale, an online fashion marketplace owned by Frasers, and provided access to Frasers’ wider brand portfolio. Today, Accent Group is an ASX-listed regional retail platform with more than 900 stores, 19 brands and more than 20 online platforms according to the cited reference material. Its activities span retailing, e-commerce, wholesaling and distribution. Because its portfolio depends partly on acquisitions, licensing agreements, franchises and distribution rights, individual banners and international partnerships can change over time.

1. 2025Sports Direct partnership agreed

   Accent and Frasers agreed to launch and operate Sports Direct in Australia and New Zealand and to transfer MySale to Accent.

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2. 2024The Athlete’s Foot franchise model scheduled for transition

   Accent announced that it would not renew expiring franchise agreements and would explore acquiring stores.

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3. 2021Glue Store and Next Athleisure deal announced

   Accent agreed to acquire Glue Store and Next Athleisure’s wholesale and distribution operations.

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4. 2019Stylerunner acquired

   Accent Group acquired Stylerunner after the women’s activewear business entered receivership.

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5. 2017Corporate name changed to Accent Group Limited

   RCG Corporation adopted the Accent Group Limited name in November.

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6. 2015RCG Corporation acquired Accent Group

   RCG Corporation acquired Accent Group in a transaction reported at approximately A$200 million.

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7. 1988Accent Group origins established in New Zealand

   The business began as a small New Zealand wholesaling operation.

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A multi-brand Australia and New Zealand footwear, sneaker, activewear and lifestyle retail platform combining stores, e-commerce, wholesale and brand distribution.

• Hype DCSneaker and streetwear retail

  Hype DC is an Australian and New Zealand sneaker retail chain within Accent Group’s portfolio. Its proposition centres on branded sneakers, streetwear and lifestyle footwear, combining physical stores with online commerce and serving consumers interested in contemporary sneaker culture.

• PlatypusAthletic and lifestyle footwear retail1998

  Platypus is an Australia- and New Zealand-based footwear retail chain established in 1998. It focuses on sneakers, athletic footwear, casual shoes and lifestyle products for a fashion-conscious and predominantly younger customer base. The cited reference reported 167 Australian stores and 34 New Zealand stores in November 2023.

• The Athlete’s FootAthletic footwear retail

  The Athlete’s Foot is a footwear and apparel retail brand focused on running, training and everyday athletic shoes. Accent Group operated both company-owned and franchised stores, but announced in 2024 that it would progressively end the franchise model and consider acquiring selected franchised locations.

• StylerunnerWomen’s activewear and sportswear2012

  Stylerunner is a women’s sportswear, activewear and sneaker brand established in 2012. Accent Group acquired the business in 2019 after it entered receivership. The brand later developed a flagship store concept, including a first flagship location in Mosman, Sydney, opened in 2022.

• SUBTYPEPremium sneaker and apparel retail2014

  SUBTYPE is a premium sneaker and apparel retail concept established in Sydney in 2014. Its store network has included locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Brisbane and Adelaide, with a proposition oriented toward premium and fashion-led sneakers.

• Glue StorePremium fashion retail

  Glue Store is an Australian premium fashion retailer acquired by Accent Group in the 2021 Next Athleisure transaction. It broadened Accent’s exposure to apparel and youth fashion beyond footwear. The cited reference states that Accent announced in February 2026 that the Glue business would be wound down or sold by the end of fiscal 2026.

• Sports Direct Australia and New ZealandSports retail2025

  Sports Direct is being introduced to Australia and New Zealand through an agreement between Accent Group and Frasers Group. Accent is expected to operate stores and an online channel under an initial 25-year term, with a stated plan to roll out at least 50 stores over six years.

• Dr. Martens distributionLicensed footwear distribution

  Accent Group has acted as the exclusive distributor for Dr. Martens in Australia and New Zealand and has operated branded stores in both countries. The relationship forms part of Accent’s wider international-brand distribution and retail activities.

• Hoka distributionRunning footwear distribution2022

  Accent Group became the exclusive Australian distributor for Hoka, the running footwear brand owned by Deckers Brands, in 2022.

• Reebok distributionSports footwear and apparel distribution2022

  Accent Group obtained rights connected with Reebok in the second quarter of 2022, adding the American sports footwear and apparel brand to its distribution portfolio.

• 2025Partner with Frasers to launch Sports Direct and acquire MySaleM&A

  Frasers Group had increased its holding in Accent Group to 19.57% in April 2025. The companies sought to combine Accent’s regional retail platform with Frasers’ Sports Direct and broader brand portfolio.

  What changed. Accent agreed to launch and operate Sports Direct in Australia and New Zealand for an initial 25-year term, plan at least 50 stores and an online store, acquire MySale from Frasers, and access selected Frasers brands.

  Aftermath. The agreement created a major new sports-retail growth program for Accent and deepened its relationship with Frasers Group.

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• 2024End the The Athlete’s Foot franchise modelStrategy

  Accent operated a mix of company-owned and franchised The Athlete’s Foot stores. The group stated that it owned 73 stores while 62 were franchised when the decision was announced.

  What changed. Accent decided not to renew franchise agreements as they expired over the following five years and said it would explore acquiring franchised stores.

  Aftermath. The decision was intended to increase direct control over the banner’s store network, operations and customer proposition, with the transition expected to occur progressively.

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• 2025Accent Group and Frasers agreed to launch Sports Direct in Australia and New Zealand

  The companies agreed that Accent would operate Sports Direct in Australia and New Zealand for an initial 25-year term, with a planned rollout of at least 50 stores and an online channel. Accent also agreed to acquire MySale from Frasers.

  M&AProduct launch
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• 2024Accent Group announced the end of The Athlete’s Foot franchise model

  Accent announced that it would allow The Athlete’s Foot franchise agreements to expire over the following five years, while exploring the acquisition of franchised stores.

  Other
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• 2024Frasers Group acquired a strategic stake in Accent Group

  Frasers Group acquired a 14.65% holding in Accent Group, later increasing its interest in 2025.

  M&A
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• 2022Accent Group withheld first-half guidance amid Omicron uncertainty

  A decline in store traffic associated with the Omicron wave and supply-chain uncertainty led the company not to provide first-half guidance.

  Other
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• 2021Accent Group acquired Glue Store and Next Athleisure operations

  Accent Group agreed to acquire the Glue Store retail business and Next Athleisure’s wholesale and distribution operations for approximately A$13 million.

  M&A
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• 2021Accent Group reported record FY2021 sales

  The group reported fourth consecutive-year record profit and sales of approximately A$1.14 billion, up 19.9% from the prior year, while later lockdowns weakened second-half trading.

  Other
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• 2020COVID-19 lockdowns closed hundreds of stores

  Lockdown restrictions in Australia and New Zealand forced more than 400 stores to close for at least a month. The disruption reduced physical sales, although online demand increased.

  RegulationOther
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• 2017RCG Corporation adopted the Accent Group name

  The listed company changed its corporate name from RCG Corporation to Accent Group Limited in November 2017.

  Leadership changeOther
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• 2015RCG Corporation acquired Accent Group

  RCG Corporation acquired the Accent Group business in a transaction reported at approximately A$200 million, creating the foundation for the later multi-brand group.

  M&A
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1. Accent Group