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As the New Orleans Saints continue their historic season, retailers are scrambling to keep up with an all-out blitz on the team's merchandise.



Reebok, the official outfitter of the NFL, reports sales of Saints gear are up 62 percent from last season.

Drew Brees ranks among the top 5 players for jersey sales this year after finishing out of the top 25 in 2008, according to the company.

"We've seen incredible momentum on our sales of Saints merchandise," said Lance Shumate, store director of Academy Sports and Outdoors in Lafayette. "With every win they get, our sales increase, and the amount of merchandise we have in the store increases."

Academy had a deep selection of shirts, hats and jerseys earlier this week, but some sizes were sold out.

Torie Rudisill, of Erath, combed through racks looking for a large NFC South Division Champions T-shirt, but couldn't find one.

"We've looked at several places," she said. "It's hard to find anything."

Maria Mannina had similar luck looking for a Saints shirt for a white elephant gift exchange.

Shumate said customers have come from as far as Texas and Mississippi looking for Saints gear.

"It's unreal. The stuff's flying off the wall," Rudisill said. "But hey, if they keep on winning, that's good enough for me."

Sales were equally brisk just down the street at Louisiana Hot Stuff.

The store normally specializes in LSU and UL sports merchandise, but the success of the Saints has made them a big seller this holiday.

"We're just trying to chase it," said co-owner Linda Faulk. "As fast as we put it out, it sells."

Brees jerseys were among the most sought-after items, with Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush right behind.

Jerseys for Marques Colston, Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Opelousas native Devery Henderson were also popular locally, Shumate said.

Winter's arrival has sparked sales of sweatshirts and beanies, Shumate said. NFC South Division Champions hats and T-shirts are selling fast, he said.

Louisiana Hot Stuff was experiencing a run on non-apparel items as well, with flags, CDs, plaques and footballs bearing the Saints' fleur de lis among the top sellers.

Faulk said there is "no comparison" between this year's sales and those from the Saints' most recent playoff run in 2006.

"The vendors are just blown away," she said. "They've never seen this much activity out of Louisiana."

The Saints could potentially wrap up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs as early as this weekend, giving fans and retailers realistic hopes for a Super Bowl berth.

While the recent holiday rush has been impressive, it would likely pale in comparison to activity generated by a black-and-gold Super Bowl.

"It's going to be huge," Shumate said.




Linda Faulk unpacks and labels Saints gear for sale at Louisiana Hot Stuff. Retailers can’t keep such merchandise in stock.