The past couple of years at the Tigers' D Shop retail store "have seen the amount of women's apparel and merchandise increase to the point that it nearly rivals the quantity intended for men," according to Bill Shea of CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS. Delaware North Sportservice GM at Comerica Park Bob Thormeier said that while "sales data is proprietary," retail sales to women "are strong." He said the new line of 20 Dooney & Bourke handbags has been a "phenomenal success" across baseball and for the Tigers specifically. Shea reported one-third of all MLB-licensed apparel purchased in the past year "was bought by females who are interested" in the league. MLB "has struck deals in the past couple of years with female merchandise makers" such as L.A.-based nail polish brand OPI Products, Tokyo-based Sanrio Inc.'s Hello Kitty brand, and Victoria's Secret's "Pink" line. Other recently licensed brands "include Alex & Ani bracelets with team charms; Alex Woo necklaces with team pendants; Bani Bands adjustable headbands; and Cirrus Fitness yoga mats and bags" (CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS, 4/12 issue).
ARTS & CRAFT BREW: In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen noted Brewers 2B Scooter Gennett is among the team's players "involved in designing T-shirts sold in the Miller Park stores." The Gennett-designed official Brewers T-shirt bearing his name "features an illustration of him swinging a bat on a baseball whose surface looks like the moon." Brewers Senior Dir of Merchandise Branding Jill Aronoff said that Gennett "gave directions to the actual T-shirt designers on his vision for the shirt." Kirchen noted the Brewers have sold player-designed shirts for several years, but players this season "also participated in designing five Brewers baseball caps that were developed by New Era, which will be available in May." Aronoff said that the caps, "like the player-designed T-shirts, will be limited editions" (MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/10 issue).
