BIC Graphic North America (PPAI 114187) is adding apparel to its broad range of hardgoods through a partnership with HanesBrands (PPAI 191138). The Clearwater, Florida-based supplier says an assortment of 70 products from brands in the HanesBrands portfolio are part of the launch, including Champion, Gear for Sports, ComfortWash and Alternative.

The launch marks the return of Gear for Sports apparel in the promotional products industry with 12 styles included that are available exclusively through BIC Graphic. The corporate, resort and bookstore-apparel brand features value-oriented, innovative, lifestyle apparel.

“Now is the right time for us to bring apparel into our product assortment, and adding popular, on-trend brands like Champion and Alternative through HanesBrands makes perfect sense,” says Melissa Ralston, chief marketing officer at BIC Graphic NA. “This partnership is especially exciting because both our companies are aligned on providing high-quality branded merchandise backed by respect for safety and social responsibility.”

Rachel Newman, vice president and general manager of HanesBrands Activewear, adds, “At HanesBrands we value environmental stewardship and corporate citizenship as much as we are committed to providing comfortable garments for our customers. We are excited to partner with BIC Graphic, a leader in responsible sourcing and ethical business practices, to expand our network within the promotional products industry.”

BIC Graphic NA says that it has worked closely with the team at HanesBrands over several months to bring in a carefully curated selection of bestsellers and exclusive styles from each brand with a simple pricing strategy and centralized shipping. All printing will be done through approved printers to ensure high-quality imprints best suited for each item.

“We are very excited to provide this one-invoice solution to the market in partnership with HanesBrands,” says Lauren Gantz, BIC Graphic NA senior product manager for apparel. “With this collection of brands, we are able to provide a solution for any apparel need. With products in nine out of every 10 homes, Hanes is a powerful brand that gives end users confidence in their purchase decisions. The Champion brand is on fire and has seen a great resurgence in the retail market. It is a brand that many customers are asking for. And we are excited to bring the great product line of Gear for Sports to the market.”

The selection of Champion, Gear for Sports, ComfortWash and Alternative tees, sweatshirts, outerwear and pants offered by BIC Graphic NA was launched on July 1. The supplier will launch Hanes brand apparel on September 1.