Sports fans will often wear their favorite team’s gear on gameday, whether it’s a hat, t-shirt, hoodie, or jacket.
I even wear my San Francisco 49ers-themed Nike sneakers on gameday, but I need to put them away for another year, as my team’s season has ended for the 31st straight year without a Super Bowl win.
Shopping for team gear usually requires patronizing a sports apparel and merchandise retailer or a sporting goods store.
Department stores sell sports gear
On some occasions, fans can find the right team apparel at a department store like Macy’s or JCPenney, or maybe at a discount department store, like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Ross Dress for Less.
If a fan doesn’t actually need to see and touch the hat, t-shirt, or hoodie they are looking to buy, then they can always buy a product online at any number of sports apparel e-commerce sites.
The market for team apparel, unfortunately for sports fans, has lost some retailers over the last 10 years.
Sports Authority went out of business in 2016. Regional sporting goods chain Modell’s filed for bankruptcy in March 2020 and liquidated over 150 stores after 130 years in business.
Modell’s might reopen brick-and-mortar stores
Modell’s intellectual property was purchased by Omni Retail Enterprises, and the company was relaunched as an e-commerce platform, but might return to brick-and-mortar stores, according to its website.
“The new version of Modell’s lives as an e-commerce platform, selling sporting goods and fan gear under the same name. While the physical stores are gone, the digital resurrection is a testament to the brand’s lasting appeal. [Editor’s Note: Stores are part of the future plans!]” a message on the Modell’s website asserted.
While one regional sporting goods store may soon rise from its ashes, another regional sports team hats and apparel retailer is struggling to survive.
Sports team hats and apparel retail chain HatStop filed for bankruptcy to restructure its debt and reorganize its business.
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HatStop files for bankruptcy protection
Popular sports team apparel and merchandise retail chain HatStop filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business and continue operating.
The Tacoma, Wash.-based retail chain listed over $48,000 in assets and over $625,000 in debts in its petition filed on Jan. 15 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington. The debtor revealed that no funds would be available to distribute to unsecured creditors, according to RK Consultants.
More bankruptcies:
- 64-year-old furniture store franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
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- Major health services provider files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
HatStop, a family-owned company that opened for business in 2012, operated as many as five locations across Washington state, according to its website, but has closed three of those stores.
The sports team merchandise retailer currently operates stores at Commons Mall in Federal Way, Wash., and Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Wash. The company also operates two e-commerce platforms.
High rent, intense competition leads to bankruptcy
HatStop attributed operational strain from high lease obligations at its mall locations and intense competition from national online retailers to its financial distress.
The debtor seeks to renegotiate its retail leases, address its liquidity crisis, and maintain its online sales, while restructuring its debt, according to RK Consultants.
HatStop’s products:
- Snapback Hats
- Fitted Hats
- Short Sleeve Shirts
- Pullover Hoodies
- Team Jerseys
- Team side patches
HatStop’s inventory includes Snapback Hats and Fitted Hats, Short Sleeve T-shirts, Pullover Hoodies, Team Jerseys, and Team side patches.
The retailer features dozens of sports hat and apparel brands, including Adidas, Puma, Calvin Klein, New Era, ’47, Fox, Mitchell & Ness, Pro Standard, Zephyr, Top Level, and Wynn.
HatStop popular brands:
- Adidas
- Puma
- Calvin Klein
- New Era
- ’47
- Fox
- Mitchell & Ness
- Pro Standard
- Zephyr
- Top Level
- Wynn
Related: Nationwide commercial truck dealer files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
