Quiksilver Acquires Leading Australian Retail Chain Surfection

Quiksilver Acquires Leading Australian Retail Chain Surfection

    Business Editors

    HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2005--

Acquisition Bolsters Boardriding Industry Leader's Global Marketshare of More than 240 Boardriders Club Stores Worldwide
    Quiksilver (NYSE:ZQK) (www.quiksilver.com), the boardriding industry leader, today announced the acquisition of one of Australia's top retail groups, Surfection, which will join Quiksilver's more than 240 Boardriders Club stores throughout the world. The acquisition is integral to Quiksilver's current retail growth and its long term Asia Pacific strategy in opening Boardriders Club stores in Japan, China and South East Asia that complement its substantial wholesale business. Chris Athas, owner of the Surfection Group, will take on an executive role at Quiksilver as Retail Director for Asia Pacific, where he will work directly with President of Quiksilver Asia Pacific Clive Fitts.
    Surfection has been operating for nearly 20 years and owns seven Surfection surf shops and five Quiksilver/Roxy concept stores, or Boardriders Clubs, throughout New South Wales, Australia. The deal comprises the purchase of five key Surfection stores and the five Quiksilver/Roxy concept stores, and the Surfection stores will all be gradually converted to Quiksilver Boardriders Clubs.
    "Chris has been an integral part of the Boardriders Club rollout strategy in Australia," said Clive Fitts, President of Quiksilver Asia Pacific. "His retail expertise will be a key attribute in developing similar stores throughout China, Japan and South East Asia."
    "The acquisition clearly identifies Quiksilver's vision for retail in the surf industry," said Chris Athas, Retail Director for Quiksilver, Asia Pacific. "Quiksilver has once again taken the initiative in what, I have no doubt, will be a very successful decision to add Surfection's considerable retail expertise and presence to their own."
    "Bringing Surfection into our group fits perfectly with our global retail strategy," said Bernard Mariette, President, Quiksilver, Inc. "With this acquisition, we're adding not only a great business, but great people. I'm very excited to add Chris Athas to our management team. His entrepreneurial spirit will be very valuable as he sets his sights beyond Australia."

    About Quiksilver

    Quiksilver designs, produces and distributes clothing, accessories and related products for young-minded people and develops brands that represent a casual lifestyle driven from a boardriding heritage. Quiksilver's authenticity is evident in its innovative products, events and retail environments across the globe.
    Quiksilver's primary focus is apparel, footwear and related accessories for young men and young women under the Quiksilver, Roxy, DC Shoes, Raisins, Radio Fiji and Island Soul labels. Quiksilver also manufactures apparel, footwear and related accessories for boys (Quiksilver Boys and Hawk Clothing), girls (Roxy Girl, Teenie Wahine and Raisins Girls), men (Quiksilveredition and Fidra) and women (Leilani swimwear), as well as snowboards, snowboard boots and bindings under the Lib Technologies, Gnu, DC Shoes, Roxy and Bent Metal labels. Quiksilver's products are sold throughout the world, primarily in surf shops, skate shops and other specialty stores that provide an authentic retail experience for our customers.

    Safe Harbor Language

    This Press Release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. Please refer to Quiksilver's SEC filings for more information on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, specifically the section titled "Forward-Looking Statements" in Quiksilver's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

    NOTE: For further information about Quiksilver, Inc., you are invited to take a look at our world at http://www.quiksilver.com, http://www.roxy.com, http://www.dcshoecousa.com, http://www.fidragolf.com, http://www.quiksilveredition.com and http://www.hawkclothing.com

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CONTACT: The Rose Group Jeff Rose or Andrea Tagliareni, 310-280-3710 jeff@therosegrp.com or andrea@therosegrp.com or Quiksilver Australasia Media Manager JJ ph 61(3)5261 6000 jj@qsilver.com.au

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS RETAIL MERGERS/ACQ SOURCE: Quiksilver, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005