Groceries

Groceries Apparel is a Los Angeles clothing brand that makes eco focused basics and activewear in its own downtown factory. Founded in 2010, it uses materials such as organic cotton and hemp and plant based dyes made from upcycled food scraps.

What is Groceries Apparel?

Groceries Apparel, which brands itself simply as Groceries, is a vertically integrated clothing maker based in downtown Los Angeles. It designs and produces basics for women and men with an emphasis on non toxic materials and natural colour.

History

The company was founded in Los Angeles in 2010 by Robert Lohman and Matt Boelk, who met at UC Santa Barbara. It started with family seed money and grew into a 33,000 square foot factory in downtown Los Angeles, where sales, design, pattern making, cutting, sewing and finishing are handled in house.

Products and positioning

Early ranges covered T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, dresses and tops in organic cotton, hemp, recycled fabrics and closed loop Tencel. The current offer focuses on activewear and loungewear, including leggings, wide leg pants, biker shorts, crop tops, sports bras and hoodies. Colour comes from plant based dyes made from upcycled food scraps such as avocado pits, pomegranate peels, onion skins and used coffee grounds.

Distribution

Groceries has supplied wholesale accounts including Planet Blue and Nordstrom's online store, and sells directly through its own online shop.

Why it matters

The brand shows how domestic, vertically integrated production with short lead times can support both a sustainability story and responsive wholesale ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Groceries Apparel made?

Groceries Apparel makes its clothing in its own factory in downtown Los Angeles. Design, cutting, sewing and finishing are handled in house.

Who founded Groceries Apparel?

Groceries Apparel was founded in 2010 by Robert Lohman and Matt Boelk, who met at UC Santa Barbara.

All brands