Last week, Clinton Wholesale GmbH announced the acquisition of the licensing rights to the traditional Dutch brand Gaastra. So far, the group of companies, based in Hoppegarten, Brandenburg, on the eastern outskirts of Berlin, is best known for the brands Camp David and Soccx.
The company, which later became Clinton Wholesale GmbH and Clinton Logistik-GmbH, was founded in 1992 by the brothers Hans-Peter and Jürgen Finkbeiner from Baden-Württemberg. Two more Finkbeiner brothers later joined the company.
The Clinton Group includes the brands Camp David and Soccx
In 1997, Clinton launched the menswear brand Camp David and the womenswear label Soccx. Their reach was initially largely limited to the eastern German states. The breakthrough throughout Germany came when the extremely popular musician and casting show host Dieter Bohlen began wearing Camp David clothing decorated with eye-catching slogans during his TV appearances. From 2010 to 2023 he served as the label’s official brand ambassador. According to media reports, in 2011 the clothing supplier’s sales already exceeded the 100 million euro mark.
The success of the company, which has now expanded internationally, was demonstrated by the opening of the new European headquarters in Hoppegarten in 2015, which houses design studios, logistics facilities and a flagship store. In 2019, the brand portfolio was expanded to include the streetwear label Harlem Soul, and last year the women’s fashion brand Senses.The Label was added.
With the acquisition of the Gaastra license, the group of companies has now taken the next step in growth. “With this strategic decision, the company is strengthening its multi-brand strategy and expanding its portfolio to include one of the most renowned heritage brands in the premium sportswear segment,” explained the group, which now sees additional “opportunities in national and international markets”.