Salt Life is a lifestyle apparel brand known for its ocean-inspired clothing, accessories, and outdoor gear. The brand focuses on activities such as surfing, fishing, diving, and beach living. Its headquarters is located in Columbus, Georgia, United States.
Salt Life was founded in 2003 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, by Jeff Stillwell, David Stillwell, Michael Hutto, and Robby Walker. The founders were deeply connected to ocean sports and created the brand to represent a coastal lifestyle culture.
Over the years, Salt Life grew from a small beach brand into a nationally recognized lifestyle label. The company sells T-shirts, hats, swimwear, sunglasses, and other coastal apparel through retail stores, online platforms, and partner retailers across the United States.
Ownership Status of Salt Life
Salt Life is privately owned. The brand is currently owned by Hilco Consumer-Retail, an affiliate of Hilco Global, a financial services and investment company.
Hilco Consumer-Retail acquired the Salt Life brand and related assets in October 2022 from Delta Apparel Inc. in a deal valued at approximately $28 million.
Before this acquisition, Delta Apparel, a publicly traded apparel company, had owned Salt Life since 2013, when it purchased the brand to expand its lifestyle clothing portfolio.
Current Ownership
| Owner / Entity | Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hilco Consumer-Retail | Majority owner | Acquired the Salt Life brand from Delta Apparel in October 2022. |
| Hilco Global | Parent company | Investment and advisory firm that oversees Hilco Consumer-Retail operations. |
Salt Life operates as a privately held brand under Hilco’s consumer retail portfolio.
Key Ownership Highlights
Salt Life has gone through a few ownership changes during its growth:
- Original founders (2003) – Jeff Stillwell, David Stillwell, Michael Hutto, and Robby Walker created the brand in Florida.
- Delta Apparel (2013–2022) – The publicly traded apparel manufacturer acquired Salt Life to expand into the coastal lifestyle market.
- Hilco Consumer-Retail (2022–present) – Purchased the brand and continues to manage its retail expansion and licensing strategy.
Under Hilco’s ownership, the brand has focused on retail store expansion, licensing partnerships, and strengthening its coastal lifestyle identity.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Recent developments surrounding the brand include:
- In October 2022, Hilco Consumer-Retail officially acquired the Salt Life brand and related intellectual property from Delta Apparel.
- Since the acquisition, the company has focused on growing Salt Life retail locations and expanding distribution through partnerships and online sales.
This change marked a major transition from corporate apparel ownership to private investment management.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of Salt Life?
Salt Life is currently owned by Hilco Consumer-Retail, an affiliate of Hilco Global, which acquired the brand in October 2022.
2. Is Salt Life publicly traded or privately owned?
Salt Life is privately owned and operates under Hilco Consumer-Retail.
3. Who founded Salt Life?
Salt Life was founded in 2003 by Jeff Stillwell, David Stillwell, Michael Hutto, and Robby Walker in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
4. Did Delta Apparel own Salt Life?
Yes. Delta Apparel purchased Salt Life in 2013 and owned the brand until it was sold to Hilco Consumer-Retail in 2022.
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