NEWS
Legero United acquires German children’s footwear brand, VADO
L
egero United has expanded its brand portfolio with the acquisition of German children’s footwear brand, VADO, and
with this, the Founder of VADO, Hermann Meyer, has joined Legero’s Executive Board as Chief Product Officer. Founded in 2008, VADO Footwear GmbH
has established itself as an innovative brand for premium children’s shoes. And through this new business venture, Legero is adding a strong, dynamically growing brand to its existing portfolio in the children’s footwear sector. Following the takeover, as Chief Product
Officer, Mr Meyer will take over responsibility for product development across all the group’s brands – Legero, Superfit and Think! – from Stefan Stolitzka. He will also continue to oversee collection development for VADO. Mr Meyer is known as an innovative
entrepreneur in the European footwear market and has successfully built up VADO as an owner- managed family business. “Since founding VADO, my aim has been to constantly rethink footwear and consistently
tailor it to the needs of the wearers,” he said. “My driving force has been, and remains, the development of footwear tailored to specific target groups for people of all ages – always with a focus on individual added value. “In Legero United, I have found a partner who
shares the same values: a long-term outlook, high product quality and the courage to break new ground. The fact that I will be able to help shape the company’s future as part of the management team fills me with great joy and a sense of responsibility.” Elsewhere, Stefan Stolitzka will become Chairman of the Board next year and Florian Fuchs will take over the role of CEO of Legero United from Mr Stolitzka in the coming year, as planned. Morten Bay Jensen will continue to serve on the Executive Board as COO. Mr Stolitzka commented: “The aim is to make
our brands a prominent part of the customer experience – both digitally and in the real world. And, going forward, to be active in those markets where the future is taking shape. We are very much looking forward to working together.
A particular focus of the collaboration is on using digital technologies to further develop product design. VADO is spearheading this innovation. The brand already utilises AI at key stages of the collection development process and is regarded as a pioneer in this field within the children’s footwear market. In the future, this expertise is set to be incorporated into other areas of Legero, providing further impetus for digitalisation, efficiency and customer focus.
Hugo Boss investors snub Frasers’ £1.7bn takeover bid S
hareholders at Hugo Boss have reportedly largely rejected a £1.7 billion takeover bid from Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, dealing a blow to the British retail empire’s ambitious
overseas expansion plans. Despite the cold shoulder from investors, Frasers has managed to
tighten its overall grip on the luxury label, bringing its total holding and voting rights to 37.58 per cent (at the time of going to print). Just 7.3 per cent of Hugo Boss shares were tendered during the initial acceptance window ending 27 July. Frasers secured acceptances for 5.04 million shares, lifting its total holding from 30.28 to 37.58 per cent. Frasers’ €38 per share cash offer values the entire fashion brand
at approximately £2.3bn. The company confirmed this price is final. Investors originally described the approach as “unsolicited”; they have now been given a second chance to sell under the same terms during an additional acceptance period running until 13 August. The sharp rejection comes after the management and supervisory
boards of Hugo Boss unanimously urged shareholders to turn down the approach, dismissing the proposal as “financially inadequate”. Leadership argued that the offer fails to capture the brand’s standalone valuation or its medium-to-long-term growth trajectory. Despite investor pushback, Frasers cleared a major hurdle earlier in the process when the European Commission granted unconditional merger clearance, fulfilling the final regulatory requirement needed to complete a potential deal. Frasers Chief Executive, Michael Murray, Mike Ashley’s son-in-law,
currently holds a seat on the Hugo Boss supervisory board, though he was recused from board evaluations regarding the bid due to
a conflict of interest. Industry reports indicate that should Frasers eventually secure full control, the group is considering installing Mr Murray as Chief Executive of Hugo Boss. This latest takeover effort represents the largest acquisition
attempt in Frasers’ history and highlights its drive to move upmarket into the international premium fashion arena. The company has steadily amassed strategic stakes in high-profile brands, including: Puma, Burberry, Mulberry, and Asos. Outside retail, Mr Ashley also owned Newcastle United football club
for 14 years, a period marked by mixed results and frequent clashes with supporters, including his decision to temporarily rename St James’ Park as the Sports Direct Arena.
4 • FOOTWEAR & FASHION TODAY • AUGUST 2026
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