Apparel

Club Colors announced that it will donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of eco-friendly and sustainable products and apparel starting immediately and lasting through Earth Day 2012 on April 22.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries around the world, announced a new member benefit that enables AAFA members to access a new sourcing tool.

AAFA members now have searchable access to a global directory of suppliers, known as iSupplier Intelligence, which provides enhanced insight into the identities, policies and processes of supplier partners, enabling buyers to improve business performance and reduce risk while preserving their brand reputations and increasing the potential for successful supplier relationships.

"Brands are dead," we've been told, and it feels like everyone's out searching for the smoking gun. Did the economy kill brands, or was it globalization? Maybe it's advertising fatigue?

We can muck around the crime scene all we want, but the simple truth is that brands are NOT dead. Nor are they "back." In fact, they never left. Not real brands, that is. What they are likely referring to on the death certificates are category placeholders: famous names that are interchangeable for other famous names. Everyone knows them, but not for anything much in particular.

Luxury retailers using gift-with-purchase promotions may not directly influence a consumer's purchase, but they can offer an extended shopping experience that can result in brand loyalty and give luxury brands an edge without offering discounts.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's are promoting existing product lines by offering a gift with purchase. Most brands are marketing these in-store and online offers with email blasts and social media.

"At the price points for many luxury goods, you come to expect a little something extra and that just makes the shopper feel special and cared for," said Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing.

Add panache to your apparel promotions with patterned pants, haute couture designs and textured folds.

Broder Bros. Co., the Trevose, Pennsylvania-based apparel supplier, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Results were in line with the company's fiscal 2011 guidance.

Cintas Corporation has reported results for its third quarter ended February 29, 2012. Revenue for the third quarter was $1.01 billion, representing a 7.9 percent increase compared to last year's third quarter.

Zippo Manufacturing Co., a well-known U.S. lighter manufacturing firm that sells to the promotional products industry exclusively through Leed's, is eyeing penetration in China, and it intends to grow into China's most adorable fashion brand by introducing American style clothing.

The firm, famous for the windproof metal lighters, operates a single outlet in the US. However, it intends to launch five flagship outlets in China by close of current year.

While not restraining itself to selling lighters, the family-owned business is looking forward to launch a new men's apparel line featuring American-style apparels and accessories.

Club Colors recently announced that industry professional Jason Abrahams has joined the company as marketing manager.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded HanesBrands with the highly coveted Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award as a 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year, the company's third consecutive partner for the year honor.