Marubeni Jacobson acquisition puts the UK’s Jacobson Group, owner of Gola, under Marubeni’s expanding consumer platform. The company confirmed the deal on January 7, 2026.
What happened
The Marubeni Jacobson acquisition was announced by Marubeni Consumer Platform U.S. (MCPU), a Marubeni unit. MCPU said Jacobson will be integrated into its lifestyle platform. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Reuters)
Marubeni also described the purchase as part of a “lifestyle brand business platform” built around R.G. Barry, a U.S. brand operator it bought in 2024. (Marubeni release; Marubeni 2024 release)
What Marubeni bought
The Marubeni Jacobson acquisition covers Jacobson Group’s owned footwear brands. Reuters listed Gola, Lotus, Ravel, and Frank Wright. Reuters also said Jacobson holds licenses for brands including Dunlop and Lonsdale. (Reuters)
Marubeni said Jacobson distributes products in more than 30 countries. It highlighted a presence across the UK, North America, and Europe. (Marubeni release)
Why the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition matters
The Marubeni Jacobson acquisition is a signal about where large Japanese trading houses see growth. Financial Times described Marubeni’s broader shift toward consumer businesses. It also framed the deal as a play on the retro trainer boom. (Financial Times)
That backdrop matters for investors because footwear demand is volatile. Heritage brands can surge fast, then cool. A platform owner can smooth that cycle by improving distribution and product cadence.
The Gola angle: heritage plus trend
Gola is a heritage British brand founded in 1905, according to Reuters and Marubeni. (Reuters; Marubeni release)
Reuters noted Gola’s visibility grew in the 1960s and 1970s. It later struggled against larger rivals, then revived under Jacobson ownership after 1996. Those details help explain why the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition targets “retro” demand rather than performance innovation. (Reuters)
Financial context investors will parse
Reuters cited a filing showing Jacobson recorded £36.4 million in turnover in 2024. Reuters also reported Jacobson forecast 40% revenue growth in 2025. Those are modest numbers by global sneaker standards, but they can be meaningful inside a roll-up model. (Reuters)
The Times reported Jacobson posted £36.4 million of revenue and £3.94 million of pre-tax profit, and said the deal would protect jobs. It also said Jacobson’s CEO would remain in place. These points reduce near-term execution risk after the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition. (The Times)
How Marubeni plans to use the asset
Marubeni said the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition is the first “roll-up” transaction executed by R.G. Barry within the platform. It expects synergies by combining R.G. Barry’s sales infrastructure with Jacobson’s brand portfolio. (Marubeni release)
Financial Times reported R.G. Barry intends to expand U.S. sales using existing distribution channels. It also cited a long-term ambition to scale the consumer platform much further. That context makes the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition look like a first step, not a finale. (Financial Times)
Risks to watch
The Marubeni Jacobson acquisition will succeed or fail on execution. Brand heat is fragile, especially in lifestyle footwear. Licensing can add volume, but it adds complexity.
Integration is another risk. A platform strategy only works if calendars, inventory systems, and retailer relationships align. If those pieces slip, the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition may not deliver the expected uplift.
What comes next
Investors will watch for more add-on deals, since Marubeni framed the Marubeni Jacobson acquisition as a roll-up starting point. They will also watch Gola’s U.S. sell-through, where small gains can compound fast.