Swift Sellout Causes Kansas City Manufacturer to Produce 8,000+ Hats
Taylor Swift’s Choice of Hat Leads to Unexpected Demand
In a turn of events that can only be described as “swift”, a manufacturing frenzy has swept over Kansas City, Missouri. The cause? Music sensation Taylor Swift was seen wearing a hat branded with the “New Heights” podcast logo stirring up an unforeseen demand for the hats.
3,000 to 8,000 Hats Overnight
Sandlot, the local manufacturing company responsible for making the hats, initially had a pre-order for 3,000 hats. Following Swift’s unsuspected endorsement, the orders surged to over 8,000. The hats are retailed by Homage, the official seller for the podcast hosted by the Kelce brothers. “There are tons of business challenges,” said Garret Prather, Sandlot’s vice president of strategic partnerships. “This is a good business challenge.”
Made in Missouri
Different from most manufacturing firms, Sandlot generates its products from raw materials, converting them into hats, wallets, or bags within their factory on Southwest Boulevard. “It’s tough. There’s a reason only a few domestic manufacturers exist today for hats,” Prather stated, highlighting the rigorous 12-13 step manufacturing process that is done manually, passing through a dozen people’s hands from start to finish.
A ‘Swift’ Change of Pace
Despite the sudden surge in demand, the atmosphere among the Sandlot team remains upbeat, demonstrating a sense of solidarity. Prather shared, “It just kind of shows all worlds seem to collide. It seems like Taylor is bringing it together. Through her tours, through her wearing a simple hat at Coachella. It seems that the story continues. Next chapter? Who knows what awaits.”
Anticipated Delivery date
According to the Homage website, any “New Heights” hat orders placed after April 18 will ship out by July 16. This leaves the Kansas City hat-crafters with a tight deadline to fulfill the skyrocketing demand for their suddenly popular product. Considering the ‘swift’ sellout and subsequent demand, fans and customers are eagerly awaiting their orders.
As consumers and Taylor Swift fans aspire to mirror the music sensation’s fashion sense, Kansas City’s hat manufacturers labor through their unexpected success and newfound nationwide popularity. While they are under pressure to meet the sudden increase in demand, the resilience and team spirit shown thus far assure that they will rise to the occasion. At this point, the question is not ‘Will they deliver?’ but ‘What will Taylor Swift wear next?’
