# WHP Global

> WHP Global is a New York brand-management company that acquires or co-owns consumer intellectual property, then grows it through licensing, retail partnerships, joint ventures, sourcing, digital commerce and international expansion. Founded in 2019 by Yehuda Shmidman with Oaktree Capital backing, its 15-plus-brand portfolio spans fashion, sports and hardgoods and generates more than $8.5 billion in annual retail sales across 80-plus countries.

- **Founded:** 2019
- **Headquarters:** New York, United States
- **Founders:** Yehuda Shmidman (Founder, Chairman and CEO)
- **Team size:** Approximately 110 employees (third-party estimate supplied with the company record)
- **Products:** Brand acquisition and management, Global licensing, WHP+, WHP Solutions, Strategic retail and operating ventures
- **Notable:** Built a portfolio of more than 15 consumer brands generating over $8.5 billion in annual retail sales across 80-plus countries., Grew from launch in 2019 to a $1.6 billion valuation at the time of Ares Management’s 2023 investment., Returned Toys“R”Us to broad U.S. physical retail through Macy’s, flagships and travel locations; the brand now reports 1,650-plus stores and ecommerce sites in 35 countries.

## Products & services

- **Brand acquisition and management** — Acquires, co-owns and manages consumer-brand intellectual property across fashion, sports and hardgoods.
- **Global licensing** — Grants partners rights by geography, category or channel and supports brand standards, marketing and expansion in exchange for royalties and contractual minimums.
- **WHP+** — A turnkey direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform for portfolio brands.
- **WHP Solutions** — An Asia-based sourcing agency supporting product development and supply-chain execution.
- **Strategic retail and operating ventures** — Builds joint ventures and partnerships with retailers and operators, including the Lands’ End IP venture and Phoenix platform for Express and Bonobos.
- **AI Innovation Lab** — An internal initiative applying AI to brand storytelling, creative workflows and operating decisions.

## Achievements

- Built a portfolio of more than 15 consumer brands generating over $8.5 billion in annual retail sales across 80-plus countries.
- Grew from launch in 2019 to a $1.6 billion valuation at the time of Ares Management’s 2023 investment.
- Returned Toys“R”Us to broad U.S. physical retail through Macy’s, flagships and travel locations; the brand now reports 1,650-plus stores and ecommerce sites in 35 countries.
- Assembled premium fashion holdings including Vera Wang, rag & bone, Joe’s Jeans and G-Star.
- Helped preserve more than 450 Express and Bonobos stores and nearly 7,000 jobs through the WHP-led Phoenix transaction in 2024.
- Completed a $300 million, 50/50 Lands’ End IP joint venture in April 2026.
- Announced an agreement to acquire Marc Jacobs from LVMH in May 2026 with G-III as a joint-venture partner.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — WHP Global, LVMH and G-III announced a definitive agreement for WHP to acquire Marc Jacobs, with G-III set to join a 50/50 ownership venture and operate parts of the business; closing terms were not disclosed.
- **2026-04** — WHP and Lands’ End completed their 50/50 intellectual-property joint venture after WHP paid $300 million for its controlling stake; Lands’ End kept control of its core DTC and B2B operations.
- **2026-02** — Joe’s Jeans marked its 25th anniversary with a Beverly Hills flagship and leadership additions under operating partner Centric Brands.
- **2026-01** — Vera Wang’s Batra Group license prepared a new ready-to-wear collection for UK and European distribution for Fall/Winter 2026.
- **2025-05** — Vera Wang LOVE fragrance expanded the WHP-owned brand into Ulta.com and more than 830 Ulta Beauty stores.

## Links

- Website: https://www.whp-global.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/whp-global
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whp__global/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WHPGlobal/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/whp-global
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-16