TNF Expands Distribution to Chili, Peru and Bolivia

The North Face announced today
that Santiago, Chili-based Commercial Madison has been named the
exclusive distributor of The North Face (TNF) product in Chile, Peru
and Bolivia. According to a company statement, Commercial Madison will
help TNF expand into the market by opening TNF retail stores and by
distributing TNF product to wholesale dealers in the three countries.

Currently, Commercial Madison operates one free-standing flagship store
in Santiago, three mall-based stores and 27 corners located in high-end
department stores in Chile. Commercial Madison is also the exclusive
apparel licensee in Chile for Polo, Ralph Lauren, and Polo RLX
trademarks.

“Commercial Madison will target both mountain lifestyle and technical
outdoor consumers through distribution in specialty shops, high-end
department stores, and The North Face retail stores throughout the
territory,” the official company statement said.

TNF president Mike Egeck told SNEWS® that it is TNF’s intention to go
after a share of the estimated $450 million USD outdoor recreation
market in Chile, Peru, and Bolivia.

If all goes as planned, Egeck told us that he anticipates South
American sales to grow into a 5 percent share of TNF’s global
distribution model. Right now, Europe represents 17 percent, Japan 18
percent, and North America 65 percent of TNF’s worldwide sales.

Egeck also told SNEWS® that Patagonia, Salomon, Timberland and, in the
mass channel, Columbia are currently the strongest players in the
region.