Levi Strauss & Co will buy The Jeans Company (TJC), its distributor in South America. This will enable Levi Strauss to expand its reach in South America. TJC is a distributor for the brands, Levi’s and Dockers. The acquisition includes roughly 80 Levi’s and Dockers retail stores, the region’s leading multi-brand retailers and the logistical operations in these markets. This is expected to build on the strong foundation established by TJC and position Levi Strauss to accelerate growth across the Andean region. The move is expected to help streamline business operations, further diversify the business, create operational synergies and enhance shareholder value. Deploying capital through organic acquisitions is a key part of the company’s long-term strategy to become a world-class omni channel retailer.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year. Through the 30-year partnership, TJC had enhanced the market position of Levi’s and Dockers in Chile, Peru and Bolivia.

Levi Strauss has expanded into new categories and found new ways to make sales. Levi Strauss has had near across-the-board growth, with men’s sales up six per cent, women's rising 16 per cent and higher sales in both bottoms and tops. It also saw its global direct-to-consumer business shoot up 14 per cent year over year.