Apparel

Broder Bros. Co. launched a new customer contest, Office Rewards. This opt-in contest gives customers the chance to win daily prizes worth $500 and weekly prizes worth $1,000.

Broder Bros. announced results for its first quarter ended March 26, 2011.

First quarter 2011 net sales were $173.9 million compared to $153.5 million for the first quarter 2010. Income from operations for the first quarter 2011 was $6.5 million compared to a loss of $3.3 million for the first quarter 2010. Net income for the first quarter 2011 was $4.3 million compared to a net loss of $6.5 million for the first quarter 2010.

Hanesbrands, the activewear supplier and parent company to Hanes Printables, acquired Australian activewear supplier TNF Group on Wednesday for $9 million.

Put a little pep in your preppy product sales with derby and sorority products.

What kind of trailblazer ever listens to the system? The Trailblazer System Jacket from Charles River Apparel is just the kind. It's a trailblazer in the oxymoronic juxtaposition field, making phrases like "trailblazer system" truly trailblazing.

Bamboo isn't the perfect green product most consumers think it is.

The stalks and leaves are green, and some of the claims made by retailers are true: Bamboo grows like gangbusters without fertilizer or pesticides, it shoots up again after being cut and it's incredibly hardy.

So hardy, in fact, that it must be spun with harsh chemicals before it can be used to make textiles, including towels, clothes and baby diapers.

The resulting cloth is not natural bamboo fibre. It's man-made rayon or viscose fibre, made from bamboo pulp.

Broder Bros. Co. will release the financial results for its first quarter 2011 on Friday, May 6, 2011.

The company will conduct a conference call on the same day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the results. Thomas Myers, chief executive officer, and Martin Matthews, chief financial officer, will participate in the call.

The domestic dial-in number for the call is (800) 768-6569. The conference ID is 1527102. To help ensure that the conference begins in a timely manner, please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Cintas Corporation introduced its first eco-friendly garment options for bellmen, doormen and other front door professionals in hotels. The new apparel, made of recycled polyester, wool and Lycra, further enhances Cintas' already extensive EcoGeneration collection and enables hotels to go "green" without compromising fashion or comfort.

"Staff members who greet guests when they enter a property really set the tone for their overall perception of the brand," said Todd McKeown, vice president of hospitality at Cintas. "With our new sustainable apparel for bellmen and doormen, hotels can leave an impression that's unified and professional—as well as environmentally-responsible." 

Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes announced their partnership with apparel manufacturer Gildan Activewear for a month-long promotion giving away a free iPad 2 every business day, plus an extra drawing once a week, in May.

A first-hand listing of the many promotional items given out before, during and after the Philadelphia's 2011 Broad Street Run.