Who Owns Kate Spade Outlet?

Kate Spade was founded in 1993 by Kate Spade (born Katherine Noel Brosnahan) and her husband Andy Spade in New York City. The brand launched with a line of handbags that combined clean lines, practical design, and a playful, colorful aesthetic that was distinct from the more serious luxury handbags dominating the market at the time. Kate Spade's handbags quickly became popular among young professional women who wanted stylish, functional bags at accessible luxury price points.

The brand expanded rapidly through the late 1990s and 2000s, adding apparel, shoes, jewelry, and home goods to its product range. Kate and Andy Spade sold a majority stake in the brand to Neiman Marcus Group in 1999, and the remaining stake was sold to Liz Claiborne (now Kate Spade & Company) in 2006. Kate Spade herself departed from the brand in 2007.

Kate Spade Outlet stores began opening in the early 2010s as the brand expanded its distribution strategy to include outlet channels. Outlet stores allow brands to sell excess inventory, prior-season merchandise, and outlet-specific products at discounted prices, reaching price-sensitive consumers who aspire to the brand but cannot afford full-price retail.

In 2017, Coach, Inc. (now Tapestry, Inc.) acquired Kate Spade & Company for approximately $2.4 billion, adding the brand to its portfolio alongside Coach and Stuart Weitzman. Under Tapestry's ownership, Kate Spade Outlet has continued to operate as an important channel for the brand, with outlet stores located in premium outlet centers across the United States and internationally.

The outlet channel has been a significant revenue contributor for Kate Spade, though it also creates tension with the brand's full-price positioning. Tapestry has been working to manage the balance between outlet and full-price distribution to protect the brand's premium image while maintaining outlet revenue.