Lids opens new Lids University stores

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Jul 26, 2022

Sportswear retailer Lids announced on Monday the launch of Lids University (Lids U), a new retail concept dedicated to collegiate sports product and apparel in the U.S.

The Indianapolis-based retailer said the new Lids U stores will bow in key college markets and serve as a one-stop-shop for local collegiate gear. Each will offer a  wide assortment of collegiate products, including apparel brands Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Fanatics, Retro Brand, Champion, Colosseum, Cutter & Buck, Antigua, Mitchell & Ness, and more, as well as Wincraft, Tervis, Indigo Falls and headwear brands New Era and Zephyr.

Each Lids U store will also feature 'Custom Zones', which allow consumers the opportunity to custom-embroider a product of their choice in-store.

The first three Lids U locations opened on July 22, at Gurnee Mills shopping mall in Gurnee, Illinois; in the Mall of Georgia, in Buford, Georgia; and in San Marcos Premium Outlets, San Marcos, Texas. Approximately eight more Lids U stores are set to open in 2022, with more to follow in 2023 and beyond, the company added.

​"This is an exciting moment for Lids as we officially open a new store concept dedicated to collegiate sports fans across the country," said Lawrence Berger, co-founder and partner at Ames Watson, owner of Lids, and chairman of FanzzLids Holdings.

"We understand that our customers wanted to see more collegiate products in our stores, and we're proud to now offer a space for consumers to shop the latest looks from their favorite collegiate teams."

​Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico through almost 1,200 retail locations.