Eider
K2 (South Korea) · France
Eider is a French mountain and ski clothing brand founded in 1962 and based in Annecy. It was sold by the Millet Group to the South Korean group K2 in January 2020. It matters as a long established European brand in alpine and outdoor apparel.
| Founded | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Annecy, France |
| Owner | K2 (South Korea), since January 2020 |
| Segment | Mountain and ski apparel |
| European licensee | Snowleader (agreement from 2022) |
| Website | eider.com |
What is Eider?
Eider is a French outdoor and ski apparel brand. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1962 and is based in Annecy, in the French Alps. The brand makes clothing and sports equipment for mountain activities, including sports garments for mountaineering and ice climbing.
History
Public sources document several changes of ownership. In June 2008 Eider became a subsidiary of Lafuma. In 2009 it expanded in the South Korean sports equipment market together with Lafuma. In January 2020 the Millet Group sold Eider to the South Korean group K2. The founder is not named in the source consulted, so this profile does not name one.
Products and positioning
The range centres on technical clothing for skiing and mountain sports, positioned in the premium segment of the outdoor market. The brand's identity is tied to French alpine heritage and to the Annecy region, a hub for the European outdoor industry.
Business model and distribution
Eider's international expansion has relied on partners rather than only on directly owned operations. Wikipedia records that its growth in South Korea from 2009 came through the Lafuma group and later the K2 group, and that a licensing agreement signed in 2022 with Snowleader covers the design and distribution of Eider in Europe. This makes licensing a documented part of the brand's model, alongside conventional wholesale to specialist sports retailers.
Why it matters
Eider is an example of a European heritage mountain brand whose commercial centre of gravity has shifted towards Asian ownership while European distribution is handled by a licensee. For readers following brand portfolios in the outdoor sector, it shows how ownership, licensing and regional distribution can be separated for a single label. Details such as current revenue and store counts are not covered in the sources consulted and are therefore not stated here.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Eider?
According to Wikipedia, the Millet Group sold Eider to the South Korean group K2 in January 2020. This profile has not verified whether ownership changed afterwards.
Where is Eider from?
Eider is a French brand founded in 1962 and based in Annecy in the French Alps.