Rémi Garnier tapped to lead Kappa's global commercial charge

Kappa has announced the appointment of Rémi Garnier to spearhead its global commercial operations. The French executive brings a wealth of experience, having dedicated the past fifteen years to significantly developing the Italian sportswear brand's presence within the French market. In his new capacity, Garnier will report directly to Federico Trono, an esteemed executive from BasicNet, Kappa’s parent company, who assumed the role of Kappa’s general manager in the spring.

Garnier's journey with Kappa began in 2010, initially under the brand's then-licensee in France, Sport Finance. He became responsible for the French market in 2023. BasicNet later internalized its French operations in 2019, at which point Garnier transitioned into the role of director of operations. His talent was quickly recognized, leading to his promotion the following year to sales and marketing director, a position in which he oversaw crucial aspects of the French business, including managing key accounts and cultivating partnerships with prominent professional football and rugby clubs such as Stade Français, UBB, AS Monaco, OGC Nice, and FC Metz. He also led various high-profile initiatives that enhanced Kappa's brand visibility.

As country director for France, Garnier championed several impactful projects that expanded Kappa's reach and diversified its portfolio. These included a notable partnership with the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, a dynamic football collaboration with McDonald's, a sponsor of France's Ligue 1, and innovative initiatives with the Alpine motorsport team. Under his leadership, Kappa also successfully broadened its lifestyle offering, engaging in modern collaborations like the recent tie-up with skate label Hélas, while simultaneously elevating the profile of its premium line, Robe di Kappa.

Now, with a renewed focus on global commercial strategy, Garnier is tasked with consolidating Kappa's business foundations, which were established in 1967. His primary objectives include strengthening existing relationships with partners across established markets and actively identifying and pursuing new avenues for growth. Following the successful relaunch of its creative line, Kappa Authentic, the brand has forged exciting new collaborations with partners like Acne Studios and the 433 digital football community, initiatives poised to attract fresh customer segments and further expand Kappa’s influence.

Kappa stands as a pivotal contributor to the BasicNet group, owned by the Boglione family, generating the largest sales volume among its portfolio of brands, which also includes K-Way, Superga, and Sebago. The brand's robust global presence is underscored by 1,173 points of sale worldwide, encompassing both standalone stores and shop-in-shops. Demonstrating strong financial health, BasicNet reported a 4.3% increase in sales volume across its commercial activities and production licenses, reaching an impressive 567 million euros in the first half of 2025.