Canadian Tire Corporation Announces Sale of Helly Hansen to Kontoor Brands

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (CTC or the Company) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Helly Hansen business to Kontoor Brands, Inc. (Kontoor) for total gross proceeds of $1,276 million, subject to closing adjustments. The transaction reflects CTC’s increasing focus on its Canadian retail portfolio.

Helly Hansen is an iconic global brand which designs and develops products used by professionals and outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Its high-performance apparel and gear are sold worldwide, including in Canadian Tire, SportChek and Mark’s stores in Canada.

“As our strategy becomes more singularly focused on great Canadian retail, it is time to pass this iconic brand into global hands,” said Greg Hicks, President and CEO, Canadian Tire Corporation. “For six years, we have been proud stewards of Helly Hansen, expanding its popularity and foothold into more parts of the world – increasing sales, brand awareness and elevating value in the process. This divestiture unlocks that value for our company and shareholders.”

CTC and Kontoor anticipate a smooth transition for employees, customers and partners.

“As we shift from brand owner to brand customer, we expect Helly Hansen’s world-class products to remain on our shelves and on the shopping lists of our customers. We are excited to see where Kontoor takes the brand next,” said Hicks. “We thank the Helly Hansen team and leaders for their exceptional work, and for sharing great lessons in sourcing, brand design, and high-performance products with our CTC experts.”

Use of proceeds

The Company intends to adopt a balanced approach to the allocation of the transaction proceeds, consistent with its past practice. Proceeds are expected to be deployed to a combination of debt reduction, share repurchases, as well investments to drive customer experience and growth in its core Canadian retail business. The proceeds will also provide CTC with additional flexibility for general corporate purposes, including to address market uncertainty. Further details will be communicated in a CTC strategic update, to be published March 6, 2025.

Transaction details

• CTC has agreed to sell the company that owns and operates the Helly Hansen brands and related businesses. In conjunction with the transaction, CTC also expects to continue to sell Helly Hansen products in its banners under a multi-year supply agreement with Kontoor Brands.
• The Company expects the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to receiving all regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions as well as the signing of the supply agreement between the two parties.
• Total purchase price is $1,276 million, subject to closing adjustments.
• Helly Hansen worldwide revenue in 2024 was $894 million, including sales to CTC. 2024 EBITDA was $102 million on a Canadian IFRS basis. 2024 adjusted EBITDA was $76 million under the pre-IFRS 16 accounting standard employed by CTC at the time of the Helly Hansen acquisition.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as Canadian Tire Corporation’s exclusive financial advisor and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP as its legal advisor.

All amounts quoted in this release are in Canadian dollars.

About Canadian Tire Corporation

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, (TSX: CTC.A) (TSX: CTC) (or CTC), is a group of companies that includes a Retail segment, a Financial Services division and CT REIT. Our retail business is led by Canadian Tire, which was founded in 1922 and provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across its Living, Playing, Fixing, Automotive and Seasonal & Gardening divisions. Party City, PartSource and Gas+ are key parts of the Canadian Tire network. The Retail segment also includes Mark’s, a leading source for casual and industrial wear; Pro Hockey Life, a hockey specialty store catering to elite players; and SportChek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts and Atmosphere, which offer the best active wear brands. The Company’s close to 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets are supported and strengthened by CTC’s Financial Services division and the tens of thousands of people employed across Canada and around the world by CTC and its local dealers, franchisees and petroleum retailers. In addition, CTC owns and operates Helly Hansen, a leading technical outdoor brand based in Oslo, Norway. For more information, visit Corp.CanadianTire.ca.

Contact:

Stephanie Nadalin – Media – stephanie.nadalin@cantire.com – (647) 271-7343

Source: Canadian Tire Corporation Limited