Palladin Consumer Retail Partners (PCRP) is a Boston-based private investment firm founded in 1998, as Palladin Capital Group, and focusing primarily on the retail and consumer products sectors in North America and Europe. The company claims their team have invested in, financed, or managed over 100 public and private retail and consumer products companies, and prides itself of working closely with management teams to create value through strategic and operational initiatives. PCRP targets middle market retail and consumer products companies with revenues ranging from 50 million USD to 500 million USD, while seeking to invest 10-50 million USD of equity capital in each transaction. Current and former investments include InMotion Entertainment, Nic + Zoe, J. McLaughlin, KT Tape, Things Remembered, Restoration Hardware, Spencer Gifts, Andrew Marc, and Party America.

It’s most recent equity investment, as recently announced, is the acquisition of AEROSOLES, a leading footwear innovator featuring exclusive comfort technologies that offer women a wide range of shoes, boots and sandals. AEROSOLES shoes are sold in 30 different countries (4 000 doors globally) and in the U.S., in major retailers, online at AEROSOLES.com and 120 retail and outlet locations. AEROSOLES brands include AEROSOLES, A2, Aerology and What's What. The company is based in Edison, New Jersey, and was formed in 1987 to fill a void in the marketplace, creating attractive footwear enhanced with proprietary comfort technologies. 

According to the information sent to the international press, AEROSOLES will continue to be led by its Chief Executive, Jules Schneider, who is retaining a major ownership position. PCRP, led by CEO Mark Schwartz and Operating Partner Caryn Lerner, will work with AEROSOLES to strengthen its go-to-market strategy, and will partner in new initiatives in branding, store design, merchandising, product development and e/m-commerce.

According to AEROSOLES CEO, Jules Schneider: "The Palladin team brings a wealth of experience in footwear and growing consumer brands and being able to work with them marks a critical next step in our growth strategy. Their expertise, support and leadership will provide creative insights and operational improvements that will be instrumental in capitalizing on the strength of the AEROSOLES brands as we bring the Company to the next level."

Mark Schwartz, CEO of PCRP also commented the agreement: "We are excited to partner with Jules and the entire AEROSOLES team. They have built a strong company and strong brands marked by loyalty and trust because of their focus on product innovation, technology, design and quality.  We are confident that, with additional capital, expertise, and initiatives, we will be able to significantly expand AEROSOLES' positioning and distribution in domestic and international markets, including accelerating the growth of its retail network." The vision is shared by Caryn Lerner, Operating Partner at PCRP: "We look forward to using our contacts and expertise to partner with AEROSOLES through what promises to be an exciting period of growth and development.  We intend to build on the Company's tremendous resources, especially in product design and development, to enhance the customer experience in every distribution channel – retail, wholesale, and e/m-commerce.  Our creative and design teams already are working with the Company and we expect to introduce new concepts to the market as the year progresses."