Indian sports and athleisure company Agilitas Sports has acquired exclusive licensing rights to design, manufacture, and distribute Italian shoe brand Lotto in India, Australia, and soon South Africa for a period of 40 years for an undisclosed fee.
Agilitas Sports, which acquired the rights from WHP Global, is co-founded by former PUMA India and South-East Asia managing director Abhishek Ganguly.
Speaking on the partnership, Agilitas Sports CEO Ganguly commented: “We are excited to launch our first consumer brand license, Lotto. Through this 40-year license agreement, we will build and implement state-of-the-art manufacturing, cutting-edge technology, and design innovation for Lotto for its product development, in addition to marketing and retailing of the brand. Agilitas will invest in a dedicated management team to grow the Lotto brand through product creation, design innovation, supply chain, branding, marketing, and channels of distribution.
“Our design & development team in Bangalore brings together a wealth of experience in established global brands, enabling us to create relevant products that resonate with Indian consumers. We aim to build an agile product creation cycle and supply chain that is vertically integrated from manufacturing to retail. This would enable us to react quickly to consumer insights and the latest trends in an agile and nimble manner. As Agilitas Sports pursues profitable and sustainable growth, this collaboration is poised to make a significant impact on our business and the consumer markets under the license.”
Agilitas recently acquired Mochiko, the top footwear manufacturer in the country, to enhance production, scale manufacturing solutions, and boost the growth of the Lotto brand through strategic investments in various areas.
Speaking on the licensing deal, Stanley Silverstein, chief commercial officer at WHP Global said, “We are delighted to embark on this journey with Agilitas Sports. We are impressed by the expertise of the company’s founders in the sportswear and athleisure market, along with the comprehensive business model they have crafted at Agilitas. Their dedicated focus on the sportswear industry, and a profound belief in India’s promising future as well as other markets like Australia and South Africa, is in line with our core mission of growing the Lotto brand globally.”
By early 2025, Agilitas aims to launch a diverse range of products. The establishment of a dedicated factory in Noida by Mochiko validates Agilitas Sports’ commitment to manufacturing in India, with a focus on delivering high value at a competitive cost to consumers.
Agilitas will distribute Lotto products online and through retail partners, aiming to increase brand presence through engagement, marketing, and partnerships. They will also support grassroots talent and collaborate with artists to build brand affinity among consumers.
Margaret Kivett, SVP of WHP Global’s Athletic Vertical added, “Partnering with Agilitas Sports marks an exciting chapter for Lotto. We are thrilled to collaborate with their dynamic team to amplify Lotto’s presence in pivotal global markets, particularly in soccer and racket sports hotspots like India and Australia. Together, we’re poised to elevate the brand’s reach and impact, bringing the spirit of Lotto to even more enthusiasts worldwide.”
By leveraging Lotto’s 50-year legacy alongside Agilitas Sports’ end to end capabilities in sportswear category, the partnership is set to introduce unparalleled products and experiences to athletes, sports enthusiasts, and fashion-forward individuals in multiple countries.
