Billabong is about to buy the Canadian clothing, shoes, accessories and sports equipment chain for young people: West 49. The purchase, which will cost approximately $99 million, will allow Billabong to develop its distribution network and its presence in Canada.

West 49 Shop

The acquisition of West 49 based in Burlington, Ontario (Canada) and founded in 1995 by Sam Baio should be completed in September. The company has 138 stores in nine provinces under the trademarks West 49, D-tox, Off The Wall, Amnesia / Arsenic and Billabong. Indeed, West 49 is a longstanding partner of Billabong and looks after its five franchised stores of the surfer brand in Canada.

Even after the acquisition of West 49, Sam Baio will keep his post as CEO and all employees and management team will be retained.

Billabong continues to strengthen its distribution network. At the beginning of June the brand took on Becker Surf and Sport, a Californian label with five surfing shops on the web as well as locations that have been positioned in Southern California since the 1970s.

By Rosie Hart. Original source: Sarah Ahssen