Gildan Names S&S Activewear as Exclusive Wholesale Distributor for the Canadian Printwear Market
Rhea-AI Summary
Gildan Activewear (NYSE:GIL) has announced S&S Activewear as its exclusive wholesale distributor for the Canadian printwear market, effective December 28, 2025. The partnership will cover Gildan's entire brand portfolio, including Gildan®, Comfort Colors®, American Apparel®, and Champion®.
The strategic alliance aims to enhance product availability and service for Canadian customers by combining Gildan's product supply capabilities with S&S Activewear's distribution network, which reaches over 99% of the Canadian population with one and two-day service. The partnership represents an expansion of their existing collaboration in the Canadian market.
Positive
- Enhanced distribution reach covering 99% of Canadian population with 1-2 day service
- Streamlined ordering process and improved product availability for customers
- Consolidation of multiple major brands under single distributor for operational efficiency
Negative
- Potential dependency on single distributor for Canadian market
- Risk of service disruption during transition period starting December 28, 2025
News Market Reaction – GIL
On the day this news was published, GIL declined 1.04%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
MONTREAL, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) (“Gildan” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has selected S&S Activewear as the exclusive wholesale distributor of the Company’s portfolio of brands – Gildan®, Comfort Colors®, American Apparel®, and Champion® – in the Canadian imprintables market.
“S&S Activewear has been a valuable business collaborator in Canada, and we are excited to strengthen this partnership,” said Chuck Ward, Chief Operating Officer at Gildan. “By aligning Gildan’s Canadian product supply capabilities with S&S Activewear’s robust distribution network, Gildan’s Canadian customers will benefit from improved product availability, swift service, and a streamlined ordering process.”
S&S Activewear conveyed similar excitement, emphasizing the opportunity to better serve Canadian decorators with an expanded brand portfolio and strong infrastructure.
“Gildan’s brands are among the most iconic and recognizable in our industry and we’re excited to bring this powerful portfolio together under one roof,” said Craig Ryan, Vice President of Commercial – Canada at S&S. “With increased inventory depth across our Canadian network—reaching over 99 % of the population with one and two-day service—S&S is enhancing access and reliability for customers nationwide.”
“Gildan has been a trusted and strategic partner for years, and we’re proud to take this next step together,” said Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “This expanded agreement reflects the strength of our partnership across North America and our continued investment in the Canadian market.”
This exclusive partnership arrangement will be effective December 28, 2025.
About Gildan
Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Company’s product offering includes activewear, underwear and socks, sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms and to global lifestyle brand companies. The Company markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan®, American Apparel®, Comfort Colors®, GOLDTOE®, and Peds®, and under an exclusive licensing agreement for the printwear channel for Champion®.
Gildan owns and operates vertically integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean, North America, and Bangladesh. Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour, environmental and governance practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive ESG program embedded in the Company's long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its ESG practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com.
About S&S
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, S&S Activewear is a leading technology-enabled distributor of apparel and accessories in the United States and Canada. S&S offers more than 100 brands, including basic garments to fashion-forward styles, with over 6 million square feet of warehouse space across North America. S&S services a broad range of customers through its nationwide network, including retail brands, e-commerce companies, garment decorators, promotional products distributors, entertainment merchandisers, lifestyle brands and web-based platforms for apparel customization.
| Investor inquiries: Jessy Hayem, CFA Senior Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations and Global Communications (514) 744-8511 jhayem@gildan.com | Media inquiries: Genevieve Gosselin Director, Global Communications and Corporate Marketing (514) 343-8814 communications@gildan.com |
FAQ
When will S&S Activewear become Gildan's exclusive Canadian distributor?
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