P.M. BRIEFING : L.A. Gear Gears Up for Japan

Sports footwear maker L.A. Gear Inc. today announced the signing of a letter of intent with the Asics Corp. to market and distribute L.A. Gear products in Japan.

“Our fashionable line of shoes, apparel and accessories combined with Asics’ distribution will give us a strong presence in Japan immediately,” said Robert Greenberg, chairman of L.A. Gear.

“Our new Michael Jackson line of shoes should be particularly popular given Michael’s mega-star status in Japan.”

Killick Datta, L.A. Gear vice president of international operations, said Japanese sales this year should account for about 10% of the total international revenues.

The agreement applies only to Japanese sales. Asics and L.A. Gear will otherwise maintain separate operations worldwide, including the United States.