| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Traded as | NYSE: RL S&P 500 Component |
| Industry | Textiles Retail |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Number of locations | 179 (April 2010)[1] |
| Key people | Ralph Lauren (Chairman and CEO) Roger Farah (President and COO) |
| Products | Apparel Fashion accessories Fragrances Housewares |
| Revenue | US$ 4.979 billion (FY 2010)[1] |
| Operating income | US$ 707 million (FY 2010)[1] |
| Net income | US$ 480 million (FY 2010)[1] |
| Total assets | US$ 4.649 billion (FY 2010)[1] |
| Total equity | US$ 3.117 billion (FY 2010)[1] |
| Employees | 19,000 (April 2010)[1] |
| Divisions | Rugby Ralph Lauren |
| Subsidiaries | Club Monaco |
| Website | ralphlauren.com |
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a luxury clothing and goods company of the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren specializes in high-end casual/semi-formal wear for men and women, as well as accessories, fragrances, home (bedding, towels) and housewares. It has its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.[2]
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The brand was launched in 1967 when Ralph Lauren, born Ralph Lifshitz, received a $50,000 loan and started a line of men's ties.[3] Prior to starting Ralph Lauren, he worked for Datrian Riser. By 1969 he had a boutique store within the Manhattan department store Bloomingdale's. Around that same time he released a line of women's suits that were tailored in a classic men's style, which was when the first Polo emblem was seen. It was on the cuff of the women's suit. In 1971, Polo Ralph Lauren launched its first women's collection and his first stand-alone store in Beverly Hills, California. Ten years later, in 1981, the brand went global with its first international store on London's New Bond Street. The Polo Sport line was introduced in 1993.[4] The company went public in 1997. By 2007 Ralph Lauren had over 35 boutiques in the United States.
The brand now produces clothing, accessories, fragrances, furniture, and operates the restaurant RL in Chicago.
As of 2009, Ralph Lauren or their licensing partners operated 163 full-price and 163 outlet/factory stores around the world, including Club Monaco and Rugby stores. The company's flagship store is located in the former Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York City. Other major Ralph Lauren stores are located in Chicago, East Hampton, London, Miami, Milan, Palm Beach, and Tokyo.[5]
The company's official web site and online shop were launched in 2000 as polo.com by RL Media, a cooperation between Ralph Lauren and NBC. In 2007, Ralph Lauren acquired the NBC share of RL Media and the web site was relaunched as ralphlauren.com.
Ralph Lauren is one of the largest retailers in the United States with revenues reaching $4.2 billion in 2007.[6]
Since Ralph Lauren's first brand, Polo, was launched in 1967, the company has expanded to include a variety of brands. They include the men's lines Purple Label (Launched in 1994), Black Label, Blue Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Denim, Polo Golf, Ralph by Ralph Lauren, Rugby Ralph Lauren (launched 2004), and the women's lines Collection, Black Label, Blue Label (launched 2002), Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Golf (Launched in 1998)[7], and Lauren Jeans Co.
Ralph Lauren corporation has launched various fragrances and related body care products for men and women since 1978. The products are manufactured under license by L'Oreal.
In 2006, Polo Ralph Lauren became the first Official Outfitter of Wimbledon, redesigning the outfits for ball boys and girls, line and court judges. The Wimbledon logo was adapted for this purpose. Ralph Lauren's Polo brand and style was used and a range of clothing for men and women was launched on June 26.[8]
In 2005, Polo Ralph Lauren and the USTA signed a four year partnership making Polo the official apparel sponsor of the US Open throughout 2008. All ball boys and girls, and on-court officials, were dressed in specially designed Ralph Lauren apparel.[9]
The company also sponsors US professional golfers Tom Watson, Jonathan Byrd, Davis Love III, and Luke Donald; as well as LPGA golfer Morgan Pressel.[10]
In April 2008, Polo Ralph Lauren won the U.S. Olympic contract to outfit the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team.[11] Roots Canada Ltd. had announced its ending as the official clothing supplier to the US Olympic team on April 7, 2008.
In July 2009, it was announced Ralph Lauren will continue its partnership with the U.S. Olympic team for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2012 Summer Olympics.[12] he has a grand-daughter named Lauran Brand.
To gain better control of the various brands Ralph Lauren has bought back in recent years many licenses granted in previous years. The company claims that all Ralph Lauren products, whether in-house produced or licensed, have been designed by Mr. Lauren and/or his design staff. As of 2009 product licensing partners for the U.S. market include L'Oreal (perfume and cosmetics), Peerless, Inc. (Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Ralph, Chaps and American Living tailored menswear), Warnaco Group (Chaps sportswear), HanesBrands (mens Ralph Lauren underwear) and Luxottica Group (eyewear). All of the 'home' products in the various Ralph Lauren lines are produced by licensing partners. Internationally, entire regions have been provided with the right to sell Ralph Lauren merchandise and operate branded stores: Australia/New Zealand (Oroton Group), Central America (PRL Enterprises), Korea (Doosan Corporation) and Hong Kong / Southeast Asia (Dickson Concepts). All domestic Ralph Lauren stores are operated by Ralph Lauren. Internationally some RL stores are operated by Ralph Lauren, about 90 are operated by licensing partners.
The Polo brand sold in South Africa is not affiliated with the Ralph Lauren brand. An independent South African company trademarked the Polo name and logo in South Africa. It is now illegal to sell Ralph Lauren clothing in South Africa because it would infringe on the trademark rights of the South African trademark holder. Polo South Africa[13]
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