Report: Sycamore Partners, Staples’ Private Equity Owner, Wants Out

Bloomberg reported that Sycamore Partners, the private equity firm that bought Staples Inc. in 2017, is now looking to withdraw most of its cash investment through a recapitalization effort, leaving Staples with about $1 billion in additional debt. The firm could also consider an IPO that would allow it to exit the investment altogether…

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Gonzaga Gets Promo Apparel Boost After Jimmy Kimmel ‘Feud’

We are deep into March Madness at this point, which means most of our brackets have been metaphorically and sometimes literally torn to shreds (especially if you’re this editor—thanks for nothing, Yale). The Sweet 16 kicks off tomorrow, and there’s one team that continues to dominate: Gonzaga. If you’re like us, you typically only hear…

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THREADX and PRINTING United Demonstrate a Growth Path for Apparel Decorators

In mid-February, 154 apparel decorators gathered in San Diego for THREADX. The event, hosted by SGIA, was designed by apparel decorators, for apparel decorators. Terry Combs and Aaron Montgomery, industry vets and hosts of the 2 Regular Guys podcast, called it “Woodstock for decorators.” So, what exactly are these events? PRINTING United, SGIA’s evolutionary expo…

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QCA’s Distributor Advocacy Council Expands With The Addition Of Ethical Swag

Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), Chicago, has expanded its Distributor Advocacy Council (DAC) with the addition of Sydney, Nova Scotia-based Ethical Swag Inc. The DAC is made up of industry advocates who are leading the way for brand safety through the responsible sourcing of promotional products. Distributor Advocates recognize QCA as the standard by which industry…

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Raining Rose’s Lisa Waggoner Achieves Industry Certification

Lisa Waggoner, national sales representative for Raining Rose, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has earned the certification of Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) administered by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Individuals such as Waggoner with a PPAI certification have attained a high standard of professional competence, knowledge and experience. The MAS certification…

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Could Maryland Make History as First State to Enact a Styrofoam Ban?

Today is already a momentous occasion for one of Promo Marketing’s neighbors to the South, as more than 6 million folks are celebrating Maryland Day, the acknowledgement of the first European settlers’ landing in the then-Providence of Maryland. Come a little more than 15 months from now, though, the population could have even more cause…

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