LeSportsac

LeSportsac is an American handbag, luggage, and travel-accessories brand founded in 1974 by Melvin and Sandra Schifter. The business began as a travel-accessories retail company and introduced a branded luggage line. Its early identity was associated with practical, lightweight travel products, while later development expanded the brand into fashion-oriented handbags and accessories. The Schifters operated the company for many years and gradually withdrew from day-to-day management around 1990. Melvin Schifter’s son, Tim Schifter, subsequently managed the business. Under his leadership, LeSportsac was revitalized through collaborations with designers and other brands, helping it move beyond a strictly utilitarian travel-goods positioning and gain greater visibility as a lifestyle and fashion-accessories label. LeSportsac historically manufactured its products in the United States before the company was sold. In 2001, it opened its first U.S. main store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. That store later closed in 2019, and the brand’s principal U.S. direct distribution has been through its website. Internationally, LeSportsac has used exclusive distributors and other market-specific arrangements across Asia, Europe, South America, the Middle East, and the Mid-Pacific. Its products have been sold in more than 20 countries, including Canada, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. In November 2005, Accessory Network Group acquired LeSportsac Inc. In March 2011, Itochu Corporation acquired the remaining assets held by Accessory Network Group and obtained worldwide rights to the LeSportsac name and products. Itochu remains the brand’s owner. LeSportsac therefore operates as an internationally distributed accessories brand within the portfolio of a large Japanese trading and investment group, while retaining its American origin and recognizable travel-oriented product heritage.

LeSportsac was established in the United States in 1974 by Melvin and Sandra Schifter. The founders created the business as a travel-accessories retailer and introduced luggage under the LeSportsac name. The company’s initial proposition centered on useful travel goods rather than luxury fashion, giving the brand a functional foundation that continued to influence its later product range. The Schifters remained associated with the company for many years. Around 1990, they informally retired from everyday operations, after which Melvin Schifter’s son, Tim Schifter, took responsibility for managing the business. His tenure coincided with a broader effort to refresh the brand. LeSportsac began working with newer designers and outside brands, using collaborations to add fashion and cultural relevance to its established travel-accessories business. For much of the period before its sale, LeSportsac products were manufactured in the United States. The company also developed a physical retail presence. In 2001, it opened its first U.S. main store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. The store served as a flagship location for the brand, although it eventually closed in 2019. In the United States, the brand’s principal distribution subsequently centered on its website. LeSportsac expanded internationally through exclusive distributors and market-specific partners. Its products were distributed across Asia, Europe, South America, the Mid-Pacific, and the Middle East, and were sold in more than 20 countries. Markets identified in connection with the brand include Canada, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. This international distribution gave LeSportsac a broader presence while allowing its products to be marketed through local channels. Ownership changed twice in the first decade of the twenty-first century. In November 2005, Accessory Network Group acquired LeSportsac Inc. In March 2011, Itochu Corporation purchased the remaining assets owned by Accessory Network Group. The transaction also placed the worldwide rights to the LeSportsac name and products with Itochu. Under Itochu ownership, LeSportsac remains an active American-origin brand focused on handbags, luggage, travel bags, and related accessories. Its history combines functional travel-goods origins, designer collaborations, international distribution, and corporate ownership by a major Japanese group.

• 2019

  Madison Avenue store closes

  [1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  LeSportsac’s first U.S. main store closes after operating on Madison Avenue since 2001.

• 2011

  Itochu obtains worldwide brand rights

  [1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  Itochu Corporation acquires the remaining LeSportsac assets held by Accessory Network Group and obtains worldwide rights to the brand.

• 2005

  Accessory Network Group acquisition

  [1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  Accessory Network Group acquires LeSportsac Inc. in November.

• 2001

  First U.S. main store opens

  [1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  LeSportsac opens its first U.S. main store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

• 1990

  Management passes to Tim Schifter

  [1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  The founders informally step back from daily operations, and Melvin Schifter’s son, Tim Schifter, takes over management.

• 1974

  LeSportsac is founded

  [1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  Melvin and Sandra Schifter establish LeSportsac as a U.S. travel-accessories retail company and introduce a branded luggage line.

A practical yet fashion-conscious American travel-accessories brand known for lightweight bags, handbags, luggage, and collaborations with designers and other brands.

• Handbags

  Handbags

  Handbags are a central part of LeSportsac’s modern assortment. The brand’s handbag business extends its original travel-goods heritage into everyday use, combining portable storage with the lightweight, practical orientation associated with LeSportsac. Handbags have also provided a platform for the brand’s collaborations with designers and other labels.

• Travel accessories · 1974

  Travel bags

  Travel bags represent the product category from which LeSportsac developed. The range is intended for carrying personal belongings during travel and reflects the company’s longstanding emphasis on useful, portable accessories. Travel bags remain part of the brand’s identity alongside fashion-oriented handbags.

• Luggage · 1974

  Luggage

  LeSportsac introduced luggage under its own name when the company was founded. Luggage remains a defining part of the brand’s historical product scope and connects its current accessories business to its original travel-retail roots.

• Travel accessories · 1974

  Travel accessories

  The brand’s broader travel-accessories category includes compact carrying and organization products associated with travel. These goods support LeSportsac’s positioning between functional travel equipment and everyday lifestyle accessories.

• Collaborative collections

  Designer and brand collaborations

  During Tim Schifter’s management, LeSportsac expanded its profile by collaborating with newer designers and other brands. These collaborations helped refresh the company’s image and add fashion and design interest to products rooted in travel accessories.

• 2019

  Closure of the Madison Avenue main storeStrategy

  Background

  LeSportsac’s first U.S. main store had operated on Madison Avenue in Manhattan since 2001.

  Action taken

  The Madison Avenue store was closed in 2019.

  Aftermath

  The brand’s primary U.S. distribution was identified as its website rather than the former Manhattan main store.

  Source

• 2011

  Itochu acquisition of LeSportsac assetsM&A

  Background

  Accessory Network Group still held LeSportsac assets after its 2005 acquisition of the company.

  Action taken

  Itochu Corporation purchased the remaining assets owned by Accessory Network Group in March 2011 and acquired worldwide rights to the LeSportsac name and products.

  Aftermath

  Itochu became the worldwide owner of the LeSportsac brand and continues to own it.

  Source

• 2005

  Sale to Accessory Network GroupM&A

  Background

  LeSportsac underwent an ownership transition after years of development under the Schifter family and management focused on refreshing the brand through collaborations.

  Action taken

  Accessory Network Group acquired LeSportsac Inc. in November 2005.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition preceded Itochu Corporation’s purchase of the remaining assets and worldwide brand rights in 2011.

  Source

• 2019

  LeSportsac closes its Madison Avenue flagship store[1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The brand’s first U.S. main store, opened on Madison Avenue in Manhattan in 2001, closed in 2019.

• 2011

  Itochu acquires LeSportsac assets and worldwide rights[1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Itochu Corporation acquired the remaining LeSportsac assets held by Accessory Network Group in March 2011 and obtained worldwide rights to the LeSportsac name and products.

• 2005

  Accessory Network Group acquires LeSportsac[1]LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Accessory Network Group acquired LeSportsac Inc. in November 2005.

1. 1LeSportsacen.wikipedia.org