The US Postal Service is joining the retail clothing market with “Rain Heat & Snow”, a new line of apparel and accessories inspired by its unofficial creed.
The clothing line is a joint venture between the US Postal Service and Wahconah Group, Inc., a fashion apparel company based in Cleveland, Ohio. Announced on Tuesday, the line is expected to launch in 2014.
The name “Rain Heat & Snow” is a direct reflection of the US Postal Service’s unofficial, yet widely recognizable, creed of reliability:
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
Aimed primary at male consumers, the garments will incorporate some form of wearable technology. In a statement released on Tuesday, US Postal Service Corporate Licensing Manager Steven Mills spoke of the intended design direction:
“This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion. The main focus will be to produce Rain Heat & Snow apparel and accessories using technology to create ‘smart apparel’ — also known as wearable electronics.”
The Wahconah Group’s Chief Executive Officer Isaac Crawford added:
“The Wahconah Group is excited to be working with the US Postal Service in launching this all-weather line of clothing. The products will build on the rich American history of this iconic brand, creating specialized apparel for consumers, at affordable prices, delivering something new and exciting that retailers can offer their customers.”
The US Postal Service’s decision to try its hand at clothing comes on the heels of recent substantial revenue losses. As previously reported by The Inquisitr , the Postal Service suffered a loss of $16 billion last year.
The US Postal Service relies on postage, service, and product sales to fund its operations. It will receive a small percentage of profits through the USPS clothing line, without incurring any costs.
