Authentic Brands Group Boosts Nautica and Spyder Growth in China with New Operating Partner, Shanghai Hui Zhong
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Authentic Brands Group has announced Shanghai Hui Zhong as its primary operational partner for the Nautica and Spyder brands in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The new appointment aims to bolster the brands’ growth trajectory in these regions.
Strengthening Local Operations
Shanghai Hui Zhong will be responsible for managing local operations, encompassing supply chain management, wholesale distribution, and the operation and expansion of the brands’ physical retail stores. Leveraging its understanding of the local market and its robust distribution channels, the company will support the expansion of Nautica and Spyder in the region.
The partnership, according to Authentic, is a strategic blend of its global brand development platform with Hui Zhong’s local capabilities. This is expected to reinforce Nautica’s and Spyder’s presence in the Chinese market.
Authentic stated, “This partnership demonstrates our continued dedication to collaborating with top-tier partners to extend the reach and influence of our global brands in the Chinese market. Through global brand management and localized operations, Authentic and Huizhong will cooperate to unveil new growth avenues for Nautica and Spyder in China.”
Transition from Tristate Holdings
Since 2018, Tristate Holdings had maintained the management of Nautica and Spyder in China through licensing agreements with Authentic Brands Group. This agreement was extended through December 2032 for Nautica following amendments to the licensing agreements in 2021.
According to the 2025 annual report, Nautica’s revenue saw a 12% decrease year over year, and Spyder’s experienced a 24% drop due to weakened consumer spending affecting China’s retail market. This led to the company optimizing its store network, ending 2025 with 70 directly managed Nautica stores, 44 partner stores, and 42 Spyder stores spread across China.
Tristate recently disclosed in a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing that Authentic had issued notices to terminate the Nautica and Spyder license agreements, which are still under legal proceedings. Authentic did not comment on the status of its licensing arrangements with Tristate in its announcement of the Shanghai Hui Zhong partnership.
Earlier in the year, Authentic had also chosen NewRee Sports as Reebok’s main operating partner for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, marking a shift in the brand’s operating structure in the region.
Questions & Answers
Who has been chosen as the new operating partner for Nautica and Spyder in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau?
Shanghai Hui Zhong has been selected as the new operating partner for these brands in the specified regions.
What led to the decline in Nautica’s and Spyder’s revenues in 2025?
The brands’ revenues were impacted by weakened consumer spending in China’s retail market.
Who was previously managing Nautica and Spyder in China?
Prior to the new appointment, Tristate Holdings held the management responsibilities for these brands under a licensing agreement with Authentic Brands Group.