Academy Sports + Outdoors offers L.L.Bean, Fanatics products in-store and online
- L.L.Bean and Academy Sports + Outdoors partnered to offer customers a selection of L.L.Bean products.
- Academy expanded its partnership with Fanatics to increase the assortment of officially licensed merchandise available to Academy customers.
- This fall, shoppers visiting academy.com will have access to a significant portion of Fanatics' licensed sports merchandise assortment, beginning with National Collegiate Athletic Association and expanding into other leagues as their seasons approach.
In August, L.L.Bean and Academy Sports + Outdoors partnered to offer customers a selection of L.L.Bean products in-store and online. Curated around the outdoors, Academy will carry a wide assortment of L.L.Bean's products, including polos, backpacks, men's and women's apparel and the Bean Boots.
"Academy Sports + Outdoors is dedicated to making quality sporting goods and lifestyle brands accessible to our customers for their sports and outdoors passions," said Matt McCabe, Academy Sports + Outdoors' executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. "By adding L.L.Bean to our in-store and online assortment, we're growing the opportunity for more customers to get outside and have more fun."
L.L. Bean operates 54 stores in 19 states across the U.S., along with 25 stores in Japan.
"For L.L.Bean, there is no better place to spend time and have fun than the great outdoors," said Greg Elder, L.L.Bean's chief retail officer. "We are thrilled to partner with Academy Sports + Outdoors and believe this collaboration allows even greater access to our quality outdoor gear and apparel."
Additionally, Academy expanded its partnership with Fanatics, a global digital sports platform and leading provider of licensed sports merchandise, to increase the assortment of officially licensed merchandise available to Academy customers both in-store and online. The partnership will provide Academy the opportunity to tap into Fanatics' licensed sports inventory to give shoppers a broader selection of fan apparel, jerseys, headwear and novelty items from portfolio brands such as Fanatics, Nike, Adidas, Mitchell & Ness, New Era and WinCraft.
This fall, shoppers visiting academy.com will have access to a significant portion of Fanatics' licensed sports merchandise assortment, including teams and players from various leagues and sports properties, beginning with National Collegiate Athletic Association and expanding into other leagues as their seasons approach.
"Academy Sports + Outdoors is excited to partner with Fanatics to expand out our licensed sports assortment and provide our customers with an even better selection of gear to show off their team pride," McCabe said. "Sports fans know they can rely on Academy for the best gear and prices. By teaming up with Fanatics, our customers will be able to browse an even wider assortment to make sure every member of the family has the gear they want at the right price."
Academy operates 271 stores across 18 states. As Retail Leader previously reported, Academy is on track to open approximately 15 stores this year.