Panama Jack broadens brand appeal with furniture and bicycles

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 11/12/2012 11:28:13 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Sun care and beachwear brand Panama Jack is finding success with its latest product categories, attracting new business and new fans with furniture and bicycles that reflect the brand's signature carefree style, the company announced.

New to the home furnishings market last year, Panama Jack now offers 10 collections of indoor and outdoor furniture in the Panama Jack Home Collection, produced by Pelican Reef. The stylish and affordable furniture is popular with consumers, allowing them to live Panama Jack's laidback lifestyle at home, a company release states.

More than 100 retailers carry Panama Jack furniture, including El Dorado Furniture, Furnitureland South, Kittle's, Johnny Janosik, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Raymour & Flanigan, Walkers Furniture and Willis Wayside. Increasingly, retailers are combining indoor and outdoor pieces in a custom-designed "Panama Jack Oasis," display area, according to the release. The company recently opened two warehouses in Hickory, N.C., and Ontario, Calif., to speed furniture deliveries.

Panama Jack entered the bicycle market two years ago, launching an inaugural line of Huffy beach-cruiser bikes. The beach-colored bicycles are available at Walmart and Target.

"Panama Jack has been part of people's lives for 38 years," said Kim Manna, Panama Jack president. "From the beginning, our core products have been in sun care and apparel. Because of the strength of those products, we've been able to develop other product categories that fit the brand, stay true to its meaning, and integrate Panama Jack's lifestyle more fully into people's lives. Whether people are at the beach, riding a bike or enjoying a barbeque at home with friends, Panama Jack just adds more fun-more joy-to their experience."

Panama Jack is also extending its global reach. The company recently hired Brazilian licensing agent Supermarcas to promote the brand in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Exim Licensing USA, Inc. currently represents the brand in the Caribbean, Central America and other parts of South America, and Bradford Licensing, LLS, promotes the brand in Europe, Asia and India. Panama Jack marketed itself solely in the United States prior to this year.

"Panama Jack has a huge potential in Latin America because it represents what, deep down, we all seek today-peace, fun, time in the sun and sand, and more time with our loved ones," said Moacir Galbinski, VP of Supermarcas. "The brand represents the good things in life."