With the Raptors set to make their first playoff appearance since the '07-08 season, official jerseys, T-shirts and hats have been "flying off store shelves" around Toronto, and unofficial gear is "getting snapped up online," according to Gemma Karstens-Smith of the TORONTO STAR. Sales for Raptors merchandise at Toronto-based Real Sports Apparel have increased 50% "over the last five games compared to the rest of the regular season." Jerseys are leading sales, but T-shirts that "celebrate the team’s Atlantic Division title have also become a hot commodity." The red shirts "emblazoned with 'Atlantic is Ours' have already sold out twice and were being replenished again Thursday." Toronto-based Eaton Centre mall manager John Harding said, "Sport Chek stores across the GTA have definitely seen a lot of consumer interest in Raptors-branded merchandise since the team secured a playoff berth." Meanwhile, Raptors fans Andrew Kong and Jeff Cheng, who began making Raptors-themed T-shirts last month, have been "overwhelmed with orders since the team made it into the playoffs" (TORONTO STAR, 4/18).
