Top of the World, a leading collegiate apparel and headwear licensee, has inked a deal with the University of Connecticut to become the school’s exclusive apparel and headwear licensee in all mass channels of distribution.
The partnership kicks off for Back to School 2019 and will provide retailers with a one-stop-shop for all adult apparel and headwear, which will utilize the Captivating Apparel label. Top of the World will collaborate with Outerstuff, the top collegiate licensee in kids’ apparel, to offer a cohesive, consistent brand look at retailers like Walmart, Target and Costco.
The agreement also provides marketing resources to further support the UConn brand and grow the business in this channel.
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with such a high-profile, iconic university like UConn,” said Scott Shuler, president of Top of the World. “We have already been working closely with UConn to develop a line that resonates with its alumni and fans and to launch new marketing initiatives to enhance the in-store experience.”
Top of the World previously held an exclusive headwear licensee in the mass channels, however BTS 2019 will mark the company’s first entry into mass apparel for UConn.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Top of the World to give UConn fans a new and exciting offering across these retail partners,” said Kyle Muncy, UConn Director of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development. “This retail space is such a massive part of the overall collegiate merchandise business and teaming with TOW will help us provide a more complete apparel and headwear offering across the market. We hope and expect that our fans will notice a difference next summer when product hits those retailers.”
Top of the World has led the collegiate licensed headwear market for over three decades and expanded into apparel in 2017. As of 2018, Top of the World is one of only 33 companies worldwide to be accredited by the Fair Labor Association, the highest level of FLA affiliation, for its commitment to social responsibility and the highest standard of business practices with its partnering factories. Top of the World holds more than 700 college and university licenses and has offices in Oklahoma, Michigan and Ohio.
