Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) (NYSE: RL) is a global designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products under the Ralph Lauren name and a portfolio of related brands. The company, founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and headquartered in New York City, has grown from a single line of men's neckties into a global lifestyle business that spans apparel, accessories and home goods.
Ralph Lauren's product assortment includes menswear, womenswear and childrenswear along with footwear, leather goods, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings. The company sells through a mix of distribution channels, including directly operated retail stores, outlet locations, a global e-commerce platform, wholesale customers such as department stores and specialty retailers, and licensing partners for select product categories and regions.
The business is organized across multiple brand tiers — from Polo Ralph Lauren and Double RL (RRL) to Ralph Lauren Collection and other diffusion lines — allowing the company to address different consumer segments and price points. Ralph Lauren also leverages licensing arrangements for categories like fragrances and eyewear and operates a global supply chain to serve markets across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Ralph Lauren the founder has been central to the brand’s identity since its inception, and Patrice Louvet has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2017. The company’s ongoing strategy emphasizes brand elevation, omnichannel retailing, and international growth while balancing full-price retail with outlet and wholesale distribution to reach a broad global customer base.
