S&S Activewear To Become Exclusive Wholesale Distributor Of Gildan’s American Apparel

Two of promo’s largest supplier footprints have agreed to a partnership.

Gildan, PPAI 100’s No. 7 supplier, has reached an agreement that grants exclusive wholesale distribution rights of its American Apparel brand in the U.S. market to S&S Activewear, PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier.

“S&S has always been a strong advocate of American Apparel, and we are confident that this partnership will broaden customers’ access to the brand and further position American Apparel as the timeless, iconic choice for customers,” says Chuck Ward, chief operating officer at Gildan.

With S&S’s ability to grow within the promo market in the past year alone, the company expresses confidence in the opportunity to leverage its resources to help Gildan’s already established brand reach more customers.

We are proud to be the exclusive distributor of American Apparel products.”

Frank Myers

CEO, S&S Activewear

“We are proud to be the exclusive distributor of American Apparel products,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “By leveraging our scale, industry-leading technology and deep customer relationships, we’re committed to delivering the brand’s full product line across our nationwide network.”

• Additionally, in Canadian markets, S&S Activewear will now be the exclusive wholesale distributor of Gildan’s portfolio of brands, including Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel and Champion.

‘Creativity And Cultural Relevance’

Gildan had faced more than a year of unrest amid disputes between the company’s board of directors and leadership team.

• Most recently, former board directors sued Gildan following another prolonged leadership struggle.

S&S Activewear, on the other hand, has been growing, including in Canada.

• In 2024, S&S made big news when it acquired alphabroder.

According to Toby Whitmoyer, S&S’s chief commercial officer, Gildan’s brand will only strengthen S&S’s ability to deliver for its customers and grow within the market.

This brand has always stood for creativity, and cultural relevance, values that deeply resonate with today’s buyers.”

Toby Whitmoyer

Chief Commercial Officer, S&S Activewear

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Gildan and continue to drive sales for the American Apparel brand,” says Whitmoyer. “This brand has always stood for creativity and cultural relevance, values that deeply resonate with today’s buyers.

“With our national reach, deep inventory and service-first mindset, we’re ready to support the brand and deliver more value to our customers.”