LIDS Retail Division Adds Seattle Team Shop Locations To Line Up

INDIANAPOLIS, July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The LIDS Sports Group retail division has reached an acquisition agreement with JAS Sports Inc., the Seattle-based retailer of officially licensed Washington collegiate and Seattle professional sports team merchandise.  The purchase consists of nine brick-and-mortar properties operating under the Seattle Team Shop, The Dawg Den and SODO Sports brands, as well as the mobile concession operations near Safeco Field and Century Link Field.  In addition, the purchase consists of multiple online shops which include wazzugear.com, soundersgear.com, thedawgden.com and seattleteams.com.

"Throughout our 10 years in operation, JAS Sports has established a long-standing relationship within the Seattle sports community; including a unique and strong association with Washington Husky and WSU Cougar fans," said Jeff Scoma, JAS Sports Inc. owner.  "In this next stage of the game, we look forward to the increased benefits our customers – including fans of the Mariners, Supersonics, Sounders and Seahawks - will experience through this alignment with the powerful leading LIDS brand." 

"In looking for growth opportunities with added value for our retail division, we found the JAS Sports portfolio to be a great fit that not only met our business criteria but our multi-channel customer experience model as well," commented LIDS Sports Group President Ken Kocher.  "We are pleased to have expanded the scope of our reach in the Greater Seattle area with this addition."

Among the many ways LIDS Sports Group will further develop the existing customer base will be the introduction of its LIDS Club loyalty card program in each store.  Members earn points with each purchase, which can be redeemed for rewards such as exclusive discounts and promotional offers, as well as access to special products and events.

Specific terms of this retail agreement have not been disclosed.

ABOUT LIDS SPORTS GROUP

The LIDS Sports Group, operating within Hat World, Inc., is comprised of the LIDS retail headwear stores, the LIDS Locker Room specialty fan retail chain, the LIDS Clubhouse retail stores, the LIDS Team Sports wholesale team sports business, and the Internet businesses www.lids.com, www.lidslockerroom.com, www.lidsclubhouse.com, www.lidsteamsports.com and www.lids.ca. Operating out of Indianapolis, Indiana, the retail businesses make up more than 1,000 mall-based, airport, street level and factory outlet locations nationwide, and in Canada and Puerto Rico. LIDS retail stores offer officially licensed and branded headwear of collegiate teams, major professional sports teams, as well as other specialty fashion categories in the latest styles and colors. LIDS Locker Room is a mall-based retailer of sports headwear, apparel, accessories, and novelties which also operates under the Sports Fan-Attic and Sports Avenue retail concepts. Most LIDS and LIDS Locker Room stores also offer custom embroidery capability. LIDS Clubhouse operates team-specific professional sports and university athletics retail stores and e-commerce sites. LIDS Team Sports is a full-service team uniform and apparel dealer, custom screen printer, embroidery and sporting goods distributor. Hat World, Inc. is a subsidiary of Genesco Inc.

SOURCE LIDS Sports Group