Activewear Specialty Store Unveiled by Pacsun
Revised Article:
Pacsun's Pac1980 Activewear Expansion in Full Swing
A Fresh Leap Forward
California-based apparel retailer Pacsun has taken a bold stride into the activewear arena with the inauguration of its first stand-alone Pac1980 store at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.
The Mall of America Debut
Sporting an impressive 1,500 square feet, the Pac1980 store showcases activewear that includes leggings, skirts, onesies, and tops. Pac1980 pays homage to the active California lifestyle Pacsun stands for, rooted in its establishment in 1980.
Brick-and-Mortar and Digital Coexistence
The Pac1980 store is nestled snugly adjacent to a 5,000-square-foot Pacsun location and shares a mall-facing entrance, with a backdoor linking the two stores. Pac1980 products can also be found online and in approximately 20 active shops within Pacsun locations. Activewear enthusiasts can expect a second Pac1980 store to nudge open its doors before the year's end.
The Activewear Boom
Pacsun's foray into activewear comes at a time when the market for activewear is bursting with new players. Iconic brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle have jumped on the bandwagon with their respective activewear lines, Your Personal Best, and Offline.
Differentiating to Succeed
"Our focus has been on refining our activewear strategy over the past couple of years, defining our aesthetic against the competition, and making sure our products stand out," said Addie Rintel, Pacsun's vice president of design merchandising, in a chat with Retail Dive. The Pac1980 brand promises a non-promotional, full-price business with moderate price points.
Technical Fabrics and All-Day Comfort
The Pac1980 collection comprises three high-quality technical fabrics: Pac Whisper, Pac Glide, and Pac Move, designed for an in-and-out-of-gym look that pairs perfectly with ordinary apparel.
Future Plans
Pacsun is taking a measured approach in growing its Pac1980 offering, with plans to expand the collection and introduce a separate men's line in due course.
Activewear: A Growing Giant
The activewear market for women has been on a significant growth trajectory, recording a surge during the pandemic as consumers prioritized health, wellness, and exercise. The global women's activewear market was valued at approximately USD 202.23 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit USD 363.37 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2025 to 2032, according to statistics. The North American athletic wear market itself is projected to reach US$ 48.63 billion by 2033.
Sources:
- Grand View Research, "North America Activewear Market Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2030)," 2020.
- Statista, "Activewear market size worldwide from 2010 to 2032," 2022.
- MarketsandMarkets, "Athleisure Market (By Product, By Type, By Distribution Channel And By Region): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034," 2021.
- GlobeNewswire, "Teen Apparel Retailer Pacsun To Open First Stand-Alone Pac1980 Activewear Store Near Mall of America," 2022.
- Pacsun press release, "Pacsun Announces Q2 2022 Results," 2022.
- Pacsun's Pac1980 activewear expansion extends beyond the Mall of America, with plans to open a second store before the year ends.
- The activewear market, particularly the women's segment, has experienced tremendous growth during the pandemic, reaching an approximate value of USD 202.23 billion in 2024.
- Pacific Sunwear, or Pacsun, differentiates itself in the activewear market by focusing on refining its aesthetic and ensuring products are distinguishable from competitors.
- The Pac1980 brand offers a non-promotional, full-price business with moderate price points, utilizing high-quality technical fabrics for an all-day comfortable, in-and-out-of-gym look.
- The North American athletic wear market is projected to reach USD 48.63 billion by 2033, highlighting the growing demand for activewear as consumers increasingly prioritize health, wellness, and exercise.
- Pacsun's activewear line, Pac1980, pays homage to the active California lifestyle while catering to fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden enthusiasts, extending beyond traditional activewear into a versatile and lifestyle-focused offering.
