L.L.Bean has agreed to add Academy Sports + Outdoors to its select roster of U.S. wholesale key accounts. Academy will carry a wide assortment of L.L.Bean’s products, including polos, backpacks, men’s and women’s apparel, and the iconic 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’ EVP 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 opened its first wholesale accounts through an agreement in 2018 to sell products in Sporting Life, Hudson’s Bay and Mountain Equipment Co-Op stores in Canada. The company did not have any stores in Canada at the time.
On August 4, 2023, L.L.Bean announced it added Dillard’s and Moosejaw, a Dick’s Sporting Goods subsidiary, as wholesale key accounts and ten independent specialty retailers in the Southeastern U.S.
In the U.S., L.L.Bean opened its first wholesale accounts in 2020 when it agreed to sell its products in Nordstrom, Staples and Scheels. At the time, the retailer said its products were under-represented through its owned stores and e-commerce site.
“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.”
Photo courtesy Academy
