Domestic First Outdoor Brand 'Kolon Sports' Celebrates 50th Anniversary

1973 Brand Launch: Korea's First Outdoor Brand
Major Rebranding Efforts Since 2019

Kolon Industries FnC Division (Kolon FnC), which operates Korea's first outdoor brand 'Kolon Sports,' has celebrated its 50th anniversary since its launch.

According to Kolon FnC on the 26th, it has been 50 years since the first store was opened in Mugyo-dong in 1973 under the name 'Kolon Sports.'

Kolon FnC cited continuous research and development (R&D) as the reason Kolon Sports has maintained its history as a 50-year outdoor brand. The R&D of Kolon Sports reflects the Kolon Group's management philosophy of 'One & Only' at the customer interface. The representative product introduced was 'Antarctica.' It was commercialized after being developed to withstand extreme cold to support clothing for the Antarctic Polar Research Institute, and since its launch in 2012, cumulative sales have reached 230 billion KRW.

In 2017, Kolon Sports strategically established a joint venture with 'Anta Group,' China's largest sportswear company, and currently operates 160 stores in major hub cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, including department stores and large malls. In May of this year, it opened its first flagship store (experience store) in China in Shanghai. In the first half of this year, sales in the retail sector in China recorded 200 billion KRW, and it is expected to achieve the annual target of 400 billion KRW. Kolon Sports is also planning to enter the North American market.

Exhibition view of Kolon Sports 50th Anniversary Exhibition 'EVERGREEN ENERGY'.

For the sustainability of Kolon Sports, it also aims for 'circular fashion' through zero-waste. To this end, it is enhancing the recyclability of discarded clothing by producing products with a single material. Last year, it introduced down products made only from nylon single material and plans to gradually expand the number of products.

Han Kyung-ae, Vice President of Kolon FnC and head of Kolon Sports, said, "Kolon Sports has passed 50 years with a consistent appearance like an evergreen tree and is standing at the starting point for the next 50 years. We will strive even harder to grow into a brand that always impresses customers through continuous innovation and perseverance."

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand, Kolon Sports will hold a commemorative exhibition themed 'EVERGREEN ENERGY' at Layer20, a complex cultural space in Yongsan, from the 28th of this month to the 19th of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.