• Skechers to be acquired by 3G Capital for $9.4 billion.
• The deal represents the biggest buyout in the footwear industry.
• 3G Capital will pay $63 per share, a significant premium over recent stock prices.
• Concerns over President Trump's tariffs on imports, especially from China, loom large.
• Skechers' CEO Robert Greenberg will continue to lead the company after the acquisition.

Skechers has reached an agreement to be acquired by the private equity firm 3G Capital in a deal valued at approximately $9.4 billion, marking the largest buyout in the footwear industry to date. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2025, with 3G Capital offering $63 per outstanding share, representing a notable premium of 30% over the stock's recent trading average, according to Forbes, Reuters, and Los Angeles Times.

The deal comes at a turbulent time for Skechers, which has been affected by U.S. tariffs on foreign imports, notably a 145% tariff on goods from China. The company has faced significant scrutiny as it relies heavily on foreign production, including in Asia, where about two-thirds of its revenue is generated from sales outside the U.S. Notably, 15% of its revenue comes from China, according to sources including Reuters and India Times.

The company's stocks surged nearly 25% after the acquisition announcement, despite a prior drop of 28% this year leading up to the deal. Skechers CEO Robert Greenberg, who has led the company since its inception, will continue in his role following the transition to private ownership, as confirmed by Los Angeles Times, SFGate, and India Times.

Skechers executives have expressed concerns over the ongoing trade climate, highlighted by CFO John Vandemore who noted that the company would explore strategies such as cost-sharing, sourcing optimization, and pricing adjustments to mitigate tariff impacts. He emphasized that “the current environment is simply too dynamic for reasonable planning,” according to Forbes and SFGate.