The American sartorial landscape shifted decisively this year as Brooks Brothers announced record-breaking annual results alongside the strategic inauguration of its new global flagship. Under the leadership of Ken Ohashi, Brand CEO, the 207-year-old retailer has officially integrated into Catalyst Brands, a multibillion-dollar powerhouse formed by the landmark merger of Sparc Group and JCPenney. This alignment places Brooks Brothers within a massive retail ecosystem generating $9 billion in annual revenue, providing the legacy brand with the capital and logistical resources to accelerate its 2026 global expansion.
Flagship opening marks triumphant return to lower Manhattan
A central pillar of the brand’s resurgence is the opening of its NYC global flagship at 195 Broadway. Spanning nearly 10,000 sq ft within the historic former AT&T headquarters, the store bridges heritage with modern luxury, featuring a rotating exhibit of archival artifacts, including a replica of Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration coat. To capture a younger demographic, the retailer also launched the ‘University Shop,’ a collection designed to modernize Ivy League aesthetics. This physical push is yielding high returns; industry data indicates, the ‘New Preppy’ trend has driven a double-digit uptick in sales for tailored apparel as consumers trade fast fashion for archival investments.
The 125-year Oxford: Leveraging heritage for global scale Innovation remains tethered to tradition, evidenced by the global celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Button-Down Collar Oxford- a garment Brooks Brothers invented in 1900. Featuring icons like Selma Blair and Hasan Minhaj, the anniversary campaign has served as a powerful vehicle for storytelling, driving a surge in brand sentiment. As Marc Rosen, CEO, Catalyst Brands takes the helm, the focus moves towards omni-channel dominance. By leveraging a combined database of 60 million customers, Brooks Brothers aims to implement AI-driven personalization and unified loyalty programs, ensuring the ‘original American brand’ remains as technologically sharp as its tailored lapels.
America’s oldest clothing retailer, Brooks Brothers was founded in 1818 by Henry Sands Brooks with a commitment to fine craftsmanship. Credited with introducing the ready-to-wear suit and outfitting 40 US Presidents, the brand is a cultural cornerstone of American fashion. Now a key pillar of the Catalyst Brands portfolio, it operates over 500 global locations and specializes in premium menswear, women’s tailored clothing, and the iconic ‘Original Polo’ button-down. With record results in 2025 and a strategic shift toward high-traffic flagship experiences in markets like New York and Los Angeles, the brand is targeting sustained growth through a blend of heritage storytelling and modern lifestyle collaborations.
