Retailer Pacsun, a chain that started out in California by selling surfing and beach attire, has opened its first store dedicated to its new activewear line and plans more as Americans seek out comfortable attire.
The Anaheim, California-based company, with about 350 namesake Pacsun stores, said it has debuted a 1,500-square-foot Pac1980 shop at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. In its statement about the new brick-and-mortar location, Pacsun said "additional doors to open."
The inaugural store is named after Pacsun's active collection, Pac1980, "paying homage to the year Pacsun was founded and the heritage while representing the brand's evolution into the active category," according to the retailer.
Due to the positive response to the activewear clothing line, Pacsun recently rolled the collection out at all its stores.
"Mall of America is one of our most successful locations, where we have witnessed consistent growth," Addie Rintel, Pacsun vice president of design merchandising, said in a statement. "The smaller Pac1980 footprint within our existing Pacsun stores has been very well-received by our customers, and with its own dedicated store, we look forward to offering an even more expansive look at this category."
Pacsun is part of a growing trend. In the wake of the pandemic, there's been a burst of growth by retailers that sell comfortable activewear and athleisure apparel, including actress Kate Hudson's Fabletics, Lululemon and Alo Yoga.
Pacsun has its roots as a small surf shop in Orange County, California. It expanded and opened stores selling a variety of men's and women's apparel, and went public in 1993. In 2016, Pacsun filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, reorganized and was acquired by Golden Gate Capital.
Pac1980 launched earlier this year offering performance-based styles under three core fabrics: Pac Whisper, soft and quick dry; Pac Glide, weightless and smooth; and Pac Move, premium fabrics for all-day wear.
"Due to high demand, several styles quickly sold out, prompting the immediate desire to expand the PAC1980 concept and make it more accessible to customers," according to Pacsun.