RYU inks e-commerce deal with Zappos

Vancouver-based athletic brand RYU Apparel Inc. (Respect Your Universe) has established a new wholesale partnership with Zappos.com.

The partnership makes Zappos the first, and only, authorized online retailer, other than RYU.com, to offer RYU's urban athletic apparel.

"Zappos is a giant in the industry. Being asked to offer our products on such a successful website and to help grow our on-line business is an honor for us," said Marcello Leone, CEO of RYU, in a news statement.

"It took us just a few minutes in conversation with Zappos to agree on this relationship. We are incredibly excited about the awareness and visibility this will create for RYU."

The partnership will equally allow Zappos – a customer service company that sells shoes, clothing and more - to further branch out into the performance apparel sector by featuring RYU's line of products.

RYU has been growing its retail presence across North America since it relaunched in November 2015. It opened it first U.S. retail store location in August 2018, and now has three stores in the U.S., spread between New York City and southern California, as well as six locations throughout Canada, including four in Vancouver, and two in Toronto.

In parallel, the company has been focused on online sales with plans to grow its digital marketing presence and e-commerce business globally to 30 percent of its overall business by 2022.

Last year, e-commerce revenue represented 14 percent of total revenue, marking a 42 percent jump in e-commerce revenue compared to the prior year.

Earlier this year, the company also relaunched its website at RYU.com with several improved features with plans to launch new product categories over the next year.

RYU inks e-commerce deal with Zappos

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