Calida
Calida Group · Switzerland
Calida is a Swiss underwear, nightwear and loungewear brand founded in Sursee in 1941. It is the founding brand of Calida Group, a company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in which the Kellenberger family is the anchor shareholder. After several divestments, the group now concentrates on Calida and the French lingerie label Aubade.
| Founded | 1941 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Max Kellenberger and Hans Joachim Palmers |
| Owner | Calida Group (Calida Holding AG, SIX Swiss Exchange) |
| Headquarters | Sursee, Switzerland |
| Segment | Underwear, nightwear and loungewear |
| Website | calida.com |
What is Calida?
Calida is a Swiss brand of underwear, nightwear and loungewear for women, men and children. It is the namesake and founding brand of Calida Group (Calida Holding AG), which is headquartered in Sursee in the canton of Lucerne and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The brand sits in the premium segment of everyday intimate apparel, with a strong position in the German speaking markets.
History
The company was founded in 1941 as Strickwarenfabrik Sursee A.G. by Max Kellenberger and Hans Joachim Palmers. It went public in 1987. The Palmers family left in 2000, after which the Kellenberger family became the majority and anchor shareholder; according to German language Wikipedia, a share buyback in 2024 significantly reduced the family's holding.
For two decades the group also built an outdoor and furniture business. It acquired the French lingerie house Aubade in 2005, later bought Millet, Eider, Lafuma and Oxbow, and in 2022 added the US lingerie label Cosabella. It then reversed course: Eider and Oxbow were sold in 2020, Millet Mountain Group in 2021 and Lafuma Mobilier in 2024. In its half year report of July 2026 the group announced the sale of Cosabella as part of a portfolio simplification, leaving Calida and Aubade as its two brands.
Products and positioning
Calida designs comfortable, quality focused basics rather than fashion led lingerie. The range covers:
- Women's and men's underwear and undershirts
- Pyjamas, nightdresses and loungewear
- Children's underwear and nightwear
Business model and distribution
Calida sells in around 70 countries through specialist lingerie and underwear retailers, department stores and its own e-commerce, complemented by company owned stores in Switzerland, Germany and France. Wholesale to independent specialists remains a central channel. The group reported revenue of CHF 94 million for the first half of 2026.
Why it matters
Calida is one of the few listed European companies focused on intimate apparel. Its retreat from outdoor and furniture into two lingerie and underwear brands is a clear example of a mid sized fashion group simplifying its portfolio to concentrate capital on its core.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Calida?
Calida is the founding brand of Calida Group (Calida Holding AG), which is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The Kellenberger family, descendants of co-founder Max Kellenberger, is the anchor shareholder.
Where is Calida from?
Calida is a Swiss brand. It was founded in 1941 in Sursee, in the canton of Lucerne, where the group is still headquartered.