You can now get exclusive sports caps, jerseys and apparel from major American sports leagues including the NFL and NBL right here in the CBD.
US sports retailer Lids – the official licence partner for National Basketball Association merchandise – has finally landed in Australia, opening its first store in Geelong as it expands its international footprint.
Lids is the world’s largest retailer specializing in the sale of officially licensed and branded headwear. Every store offers a vast assortment of college, MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL teams, as well as other specialty fashion categories (think Nike and Adidas) all in the latest styles and colours and is renowned in the US market, selling more than 30 million hats to sports fans every year.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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The US-based store jam-packed with jerseys and headwear, ready to be worn, officially opened in Geelong in mid-August. The first of its growing global presence, the sports store also opened in Sydney a week after Geelong and will soon open in Melbourne’s Emporium this month.
Alongside officially licensed and branded headwear, collector kicks, jerseys and footwear from an array of sporting leagues and brands, the stores also feature Lids’ signature Custom Zones, giving shoppers the chance to custom embroider a hat or apparel piece in-store. Fans can choose from hundreds of popular graphics, fonts and templates and personalize their favourite branded or team hat!
Lids president Brittan Maughan said Australia had always been a coveted market for the company, which has doubled sales in three years to more than $US1 billion ($1.4 billion).
“Australians already love Lids, with a strong rapport of loyal customers with feedback of wanting Lids in Australia. Now we can offer Australian shoppers the opportunity to come in-store and experience the immersive Lids shopping experience that we’re renowned for.
“We’re excited to bring our brand and products to market.”
Mr Maughan said Australia could support many more stores than planned, and New Zealand was “on our radar”.
Find Lids in Westfield Geelong, Shop 2234 at 95 Malop Street, Geelong. Lids is open everyday. For more on the store, head here.
