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sock in their practices and games. Meanwhile, in Clarksville, IN, Krebs and his associates at Kratz Sporting Goods are selling socks to baseball, basketball, soccer and fast-pitch soball players. It's worth noting that Krebs considers the selling of socks as one of the pillars of his business. "I always tell people that I make a living selling socks and jocks," says Krebs. Krebs says that basketball players are more conservative with the color schemes of their socks. "In basketball, players are tending to wear socks that are either black or white," says Krebs. "And more and more young basketball players are tending to prefer white socks and that is somewhat due to supply chain issues for black socks." According to Krebs, basketball players are also looking for the best deal with their basketball-buying bucks. "Right now, I'm seeing a trend of basketball players buying a three-pack of socks for $12 rather than spend $18 on one higher- end pair of socks," he points out. Many of the baseball teams, specifically travel baseball teams that purchase socks from Kratz Sporting Goods, are more likely to be creative with their spending on socks. "Many travel baseball teams are putting their team name or logo on their socks," says Krebs. In Glendive, MT, the sock-selling business is vibrant for Squad Sports and co-owner Lara Crighton. "We have a variety of socks that are sold to area soccer, baseball and basketball teams," says Crighton. "Everywhere I look in my store, I see socks on display." According to Crighton, one of difficulties of selling socks is having the right kind of inventory at the right time. "When it comes to blue socks, there's electric blue, royal blue and navy blue. And, in green, there's hunter green, Kelly green and neon green," she says. And, in fast-pitch soball, sock decisions tend to change based on the age group of the girls. "In girls' fast-pitch soball, younger girls like custom socks that are tie-dyed or have images of puppies," she points out. "Slightly older girls tend to choose two-tone socks. And the older girls wear traditional team colors." And, in basketball, boys and girls are more conservative in their sock preferences. "In basketball, we are seeing an increase in demand for black or white socks." n teaminsightmag.com May/June 2024 ~ Team Insight • 27 TEAM DEALERS AROUND THE COUNTRY REMAIN BULLISH ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE OF THIS BASIC COMMODITY/NECESSITY ON THEIR BUSINESSES. TEAM HEADWEAR Custom built. Nike branded. Nike.Teamheadwear.com

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