a.k.a. Brands (AKA) The Gateway Conference 2025 summary

Brand portfolio and market strategy

• Operates a portfolio of four brands targeting next-generation consumers through an omnichannel approach, including direct-to-consumer, retail stores, and wholesale channels.

• Princess Polly and Culture Kings are the largest brands, with Princess Polly focusing on teen and college-age consumers and Culture Kings on streetwear and retailtainment.

• Petal & Pup targets women aged 25-40 and has rapidly expanded through Nordstrom, now present in all 93 stores.

• Minimal leverages athlete influencers and is a top seller both online and in-store.

• Plans to expand further in the U.S. and internationally, with ongoing inbound interest from new geographies.

Differentiated operating model

• Employs a data-driven, test-and-repeat merchandising model, introducing about 100 new styles weekly and scaling successful products.

• Maintains low inventory risk and strong gross margins by quickly adjusting inventory based on real-time sales data.

• Relies on micro-influencers for authentic, cost-effective marketing, with in-house management and daily ROI tracking.

• Operates asset-light, using Shopify and third-party logistics to focus investment on growth and brand awareness.

• Omnichannel expansion includes opening new stores and leveraging wholesale partnerships for brand awareness and customer acquisition.

Store and wholesale channel performance

• Princess Polly has opened 11 U.S. stores, with 30% of in-store customers new to the brand and a positive halo effect on online sales in store regions.

• Stores are exceeding sales and EBITDA plans, with a two-year or less payback period.

• Petal & Pup and Princess Polly have both expanded rapidly into Nordstrom, driving brand awareness and inbound wholesale leads.

• Culture Kings' Las Vegas flagship store serves as both a profitable retail location and a marketing activation hub.