  Founded in 1995, Hat World, Inc. is comprised of more than 850 mall-based, airport, street level and factory outlet stores nationwide, and in Canada and Puerto Rico, operating primarily under the LIDS retail brand. The Indianapolis-based company is recognized as a specialty retail leader of officially licensed and branded athletic fashion headwear. Hat World also operates smaller retail brands HAT WORLD, HAT SHACK, LIDS LOCKER ROOM and HEAD QUARTERS. Stores offer a vast assortment of officially-licensed and branded professional and college sports teams, as well as other specialty fashion categories all in the latest styles and colors. The majority of stores also offer custom embroidery capability, and others carry licensed apparel. The company serves the core sports fan and fashion-conscious, trend-savvy mid-teen to mid-20s customer. Hat World also sells products and promotes its stores through the Internet site lids.com™. In addition, licensed LIDS stores operate from premier street locations and kiosks within major department stores in Hong Kong and China. Hat World also owns Impact Sports Inc. out of Madison, Wisconsin, and Great Plains Sports of St. Paul, Minnesota. Both companies are team uniform, apparel and equipment dealers, custom screen printers and embroidery operators. Hat World is a subsidiary of Genesco Inc.
- Hat World, Inc. is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient.
- Inc. Magazine recognized Hat World in the top 10 percent of fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S. in 2002 and in the top 30 percent in 2003, just prior to being bought by publically traded Genesco Inc. in 2004.
- Indianapolis-based Hat World appeared in the Top 10 of the Indianapolis Business Journal's annual list of the area's fastest growing private companies six straight years (1998-2003).
- LIDS stores sell more officially licensed Major League Baseball apparel than any other retailer in the world.
- The Company playfully reminds customers, "No matter where you're at, wear a hat."
- Hat World's company motto is simply, "Have Fun, Sell Hats."
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