Apparel

Victoria is not the only one with a secret! As risqué as this topic may be for our industry, we have to talk undergarments. They are a huge part of retail sales, and believe it or not, undies have a promotional appeal. Aside from seeing boy cut briefs with prints on the back side, thongs have become quite the novelty item.

Clothing maker American Apparel Inc. said Thursday that revenue in stores open at least one year rose 3 percent in September.

The Los Angeles company, which has struggled with losses and staying afloat financially, has closed 31 stores in the past year.

Wholesale net sales rose 10 percent during the month and total revenue rose 5 percent to $141 million.

CEO Dov Charney said revenue in stores open at least one year "were positive in both our store and online channels and we saw a return to solid sales growth in our wholesale channel."

There are still a few textile mills in the Carolina Piedmont, making futuristic fabrics that cover soldiers' helmets and the roofs of commercial buildings.

There is also a new threat on the horizon. A proposed free trade agreement with South Korea, which the House and Senate are scheduled to consider this week, would open the American market to a manufacturing powerhouse that has its own high-technology textile industry.

The South Korea deal, and companion pacts with Colombia and Panama, are sailing toward approval.

The payroll tax holiday on all new hires and wage increases that is part of the American Jobs Act will help Chris Yura of SustainU and his manufacturing partners in West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee "free up much needed capital to continue growing in our community and in other areas of the country as we look to expand."

Yura is especially drawn to the tax credits for hiring the long-term unemployed and for hiring service-disabled veterans that are provision of the American Jobs Act. "The growth and potential of our business lies solely in our American contracted manufacturers."

2011 is coming to an end. It's been a hard year and everyone is ready for a long nap. You want to cozy up in your favorite college sweatshirts, sports team's sweats and maybe even city-monument socks. You need something to finance your relaxation, so why not try selling that comfortwear you desire to end-buyers?

Forged in combat from a 60/40 cotton/poly blend, the Spartan golf shirt from Tri-Mountain has the strength of 10 normal shirts and can stand against the countless hordes of Xerxes. It's also good if it gets a bit nippy out. Preferably purchased in quantities of 300.

Dyenomite, Hilliard, Ohio, announced the growth of its national sales team with the addition of Paul Kory as the new vice president of sales. Kory previously held the position of director of sales at Vantage Apparel.

Valentino's floral showcase, Kanye West's runway debut and other Paris Fashion Week happenings that may impact your 2011 and 2012 sales.

It's the time of the year when you may be concerned about reaching your 2011 promotional products sales goals. If you're not quite where you want to be, today's blog post is sure to help get you there.

HanesBrands, Winston-Salem, N.C., today announced that it has promoted Richard D. Moss to chief financial officer effective immediately.