The deal reportedly values Roots at C$160.7 million as the company prepares to leave the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Marquee Brands has agreed to acquire Canadian lifestyle and outdoor brand Roots in a deal that will take the company private and potentially open a new phase of international expansion. The agreement comes after Roots began a strategic review earlier this year to explore options for the business.
Under the proposed transaction, shareholders will receive C$4.10 in cash per share. The offer represents a 36% premium to the company’s closing share price on March 2, 2026, the final trading day before Roots announced its strategic review. The transaction values the Canadian company at approximately C$160.7 million. Completion is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, with the deal currently expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. If completed, Roots will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The acquisition will happen through JM&A Design and Development.
Marquee Brands is carrying out the acquisition through JM&A Design and Development, an operating company led by Canadian retail executives Joseph Mimran and Frank Rocchetti.
The partnership is significant because Roots has built much of its identity around its Canadian heritage. Founded in Toronto in 1973, the brand has grown from its original footwear business into a broader lifestyle company selling apparel, leather goods, footwear and accessories. Roots currently operates more than 100 stores in Canada and maintains an international presence through partner-operated locations and online channels. JM&A is expected to oversee key operating areas, including product development, design, production and distribution. Its responsibilities will also cover Roots’ Canadian and US retail operations and e-commerce business.
Focus on new categories and international markets.
The acquisition is expected to give Roots greater scope to develop new product categories and reach additional consumer markets. Potential areas of expansion include footwear, camping equipment and experiences, according to details released around the transaction.
For Marquee Brands, the Roots acquisition is part of a wider strategy of building a portfolio of established consumer brands. The company has also expanded its holdings through acquisitions in the fashion and lifestyle sectors, including Italian luxury label Roberto Cavalli earlier in 2026.
The proposed takeover marks an important change for Roots after more than a decade as a publicly traded company. While ownership is set to change, the company’s Canadian base and heritage are expected to remain central to its identity. For the Canadian fashion industry, the transaction also highlights the continuing interest in established heritage brands that combine strong domestic recognition with opportunities for international growth.