::: S&S CANADA NEWS :::

S&S DOUBLES ITS VANCOUVER PRESENCE WITH NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER

S&S Canada has announced a major expansion of its Vancouver distribution operations with a move into a larger facility, further strengthening its ability to serve customers across Western Canada.

The announcement follows the recent appointment of Enrique Escalona as Vice President, General Manager of Canada, highlighting the company’s commitment to strengthening its Canadian operations through investments in leadership, customer support, and infrastructure.

“This expansion represents a significant investment in our Canadian business and reinforces our long-term commitment to the region,” Escalona said. “Our customers are central to everything we do, and we’re excited to bring advancements to this facility that will better support their businesses.”

Located near S&S’s existing Vancouver distribution center, the new facility will more than double its regional footprint. The increased capacity will feature an additional 20,000 pick locations, enabling broader and deeper inventory across key product categories. The facility will also add modern autonomous mobile robots as part of its automation strategy, improving speed, accuracy, and overall order quality.

Read the full story here.

S&S UNVEILS NEW BRAND BUILT TO HELP CUSTOMERS TAKE THEIR VISION FURTHER

S&S Activewear announced its rebrand to S&S, reflecting the company’s evolution into a growth partner that helps customers succeed through a powerful combination of products, technology, service and business solutions. 

S&S introduced its new brand identity, featuring an updated logo and the tagline, “Take Your Vision Further,” to customers, supplier partners and industry leaders at its annual Growth Summit conference in late June. 

“This rebrand marks an important milestone for S&S,” said Frank Myers, Chief Executive Officer of S&S. “Over the years, we’ve built a business defined by exceptional service, operational excellence and a relentless focus on our customers. As the industry continues to evolve, we’re investing in the people, technology and capabilities that help our customers grow. Our new brand celebrates how far we’ve come and reinforces our commitment to what’s next.”

Read more here.

GILDAN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CANADA’S BEST 50 CORPORATE CITIZENS BY

CORPORATE KNIGHTS AND AMONG TIME’S WORLD’S MOST SUSTAINABLE COMPANIES

Gildan Activewear Inc. was included on Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens list by Corporate Knights, for a fifth consecutive year.

Gildan is one of only two companies in the Textiles and Clothing Manufacturing sector to be included. Additionally, the company was once again placed in TIME’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies ranking, which is now in its third edition. It is one of 19 Canadian companies featured on this global list and is one of only two Canadian companies recognized in the “Apparel, Footwear & Sporting Goods” industry subcategory.

“Our consistent recognition from key rankings like Corporate Knights and TIME reflect the longstanding importance of sustainability within Gildan’s corporate strategy,” says Glenn J. Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan.

Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens of 2026 by Corporate Knights is derived from a data set of companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenues, with potential contenders including publicly listed companies, privately-owned corporations, Crown corporations and credit unions as well as members of the TSX / S&P Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Index. For 2026, the methodology was updated to focus on three equally weighted metrics: share of investments and share of revenues that are sustainable (as defined under the Corporate Knights Sustainable Economy Taxonomy), and the sustainable-revenue momentum score, which tracks growth in sustainable revenues from 2022 to 2024.

Read the story here.

GILDAN ANNOUNCES DATE FOR SECOND QUARTER 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS 

Gildan Activewear Inc. announced today that it will report its 2026 second quarter financial and operating results on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The conference call can be accessed by dialing (800) 715-9871 (Canada & U.S. and entering passcode 4537713#. A replay will be available for 7 days starting at 12:30 PM EST by dialing (800) 770-2030 (Canada & U.S.) or (609) 800-9909 (international) and entering the same passcode. A live audio webcast of the conference call, as well as the replay, will be available at the following link: Gildan Q2 2026 audio webcast.

Full press release can be read here.

EARTH WASH® CUSTOMERS HELP RAISE OVER $12,000 FOR OCEAN WISE

Purpose met impact this spring as customers of The Authentic T-Shirt Company®/SanMar Canada helped raise $12,070.50 for Ocean Wise through purchases of ATC™ Earth Wash® apparel. The funds will help support programs that protect and restore oceans, lakes, and waterways across Canada, demonstrating how sustainable purchasing decisions can create meaningful change beyond the garment itself.

The Authentic T-Shirt Company®/SanMar Canada extended its appreciation to every customer who chose Earth Wash®, and to Ocean Wise for its continued commitment to protecting Canada's waterways. Made using a responsible process that eliminates harmful chemicals and creates zero water waste while delivering the soft, lived-in feel customers love.

“Earth Wash® reflects the belief that sustainability shouldn't be an afterthought—it should be built into every step,” the company said in a statement.

ALPHAGRAPHICS ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC EXPANSION ACROSS CANADA

AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of signage, printing and marketing solutions, today announced its plans to expand throughout Canada and is actively seeking qualified franchise partners to develop locations across the country.

"Canada is home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and small-business owners, making it a natural fit for AlphaGraphics,” said Vice President of Franchise Development for AlphaGraphics Bill McPherson. "We're eager to bring AlphaGraphics' full suite of business solutions to Canadian companies while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs.”

Read more here.

MARKET REPORTS:

MARKET SEGMENTATION, KEY TRENDS, AND COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE OF THE CORPORATE GIFTING MARKET

The corporate gifting sector is poised for significant expansion in the coming years, driven by evolving business needs and innovative gifting options, according to a study by The Business Research Company.

The corporate gifting market is projected to experience robust growth, reaching a valuation of $1312.85 billion by 2030. This expansion reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%.

Key trends anticipated to shape the market during this period include the expansion of employee recognition programs, client retention and loyalty campaigns, seasonal and festival-related gifting, as well as the development of custom branding and packaging options alongside corporate gifting subscription models.

Read more here.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Below are excerpts from various articles pertaining to the many segments of our industry. While not always Canadian-based, they may still contain beneficial insight on trends to watch for. These articles can also be useful as resources to be shared with your clients. Imprint Canada assumes no liability for pop-ups and malicious links.

SUMMER EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN 2026:

WHY PERSONALIZED WELLNESS REWARDS ARE BECOMING A TOP WORKPLACE TREND

Recent workplace data indicates that shifting to a flexible, health-focused approach can improve daily staff morale. Planning personalized employee wellness gifts, such as an insulated water bottle or a cooling sports towel, demonstrates genuine corporate care and signals that the company prioritizes employees' interests and growth. Read more here.

BRANDING, AI AND THE RISE OF CONFERENCE ATTIRE

Corporate swag, which was once relegated to halfhearted logo T-shirts, has evolved into something far more strategic. It’s now a tool for brand differentiation, personal identity and immersive experience.

As conferences become critical venues for relationship-building and brand storytelling, “conference attire” is emerging as its own category. Conference attire was something people figured out individually, often at the last minute, with little guidance beyond “business casual.” Now, conference attire is informed by comfort, expression and, increasingly, intelligent technology. More.

THE BRANDED MERCHANDISE PROBLEM NOBODY TALKS ABOUT

(AND HOW SMART MARKETING TEAMS ARE FINALLY FIXING IT)

Ask any CMO what their biggest operational headache is, and they will probably say something about pipeline, attribution, or team bandwidth. Very few will say branded merchandise.

But they should. Full story here.

TEAM SPIRIT: HOW LOCAL SPORTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS STREAMLINE BRANDED MERCHANDISE

Some ways in which branded merchandise is being streamlined are using online stores to simplify the ordering process, print-on-demand to reduce inventory risks, and design tools to make customization much easier. 

No matter which sports teams you look at, whether they be at the professional level or at the local level, they all have one thing in common, besides team spirit. They all use branded merchandise to create a cohesive team. It could be team jerseys, spirit wear, promotional products, and fundraising items. 

Whatever the branded merchandise, it helps build identity, strengthen connections, and generate support. It's all about getting into the mindset of a team and the community groups. Read more.