Scotch & Soda (clothing)

Scotch & Soda store in DUMBO, Brooklyn

Scotch & Soda, Alkmaar, Netherlands

Scotch & Soda was founded as a menswear label in the 1980s. In 2011 Kellwood and Sun Capital bought the company. At the time Scotch & Soda was an international brand. It was sold in over 7,000 shops worldwide, but there were also 30 company-owned and franchised retail stores.[4]

On 1 September 2019 Frederick Lukoff became CEO of Scotch & Soda.[5] In January 2020, the company launched sunglasses and eye glasses ranges for men and women. By then the brand was sold in 8,000 shops and 250 brand stores.[6] In May 2020 Scotch & Soda announced the launch of its third perfume, Island Water.[7]

On 16 March 2021 Scotch & Soda announced the acceleration of its global expansion, with the opening of 15 brick-and-mortar stores and 12 shop-in-shops over the next six months. It also announced the launch of its new brand identity "Free Spirit". In the shops this translated to the colors white, charcoal and tan with some yellow, pink, and burgundy accents. Materials used were: aged brass, textured tiles, marble, and powder-coated steel. Aspects like LED lights and FSC wood herringbone flooring expressed commitment to sustainability.[8] From October 2021 to April 2022 the company opened 16 new stores. In early April it had plans to open 20 more shops in the next 6 months. Amongst these were flagship stores in London and Milan. Seven other shops were planned in major cities outside Europe.[9] In June 2022 Scotch & Soda opened its flagship store on the Via Alessandro Manzoni in Milan. This complemented its four Italian franchise shops, and plans for 9 shop in shops in the high end retail chain La Rinascente.[10]

On March 20, 2023, Scotch & Soda filed for bankruptcy for its Dutch branch.[11][12] The following week, American brand management company Bluestar Alliance, parent company of Bebe Stores, Hurley International, Justice, and Brookstone, agreed to acquire Scotch & Soda for an undisclosed sum.[3]