Gildan to Host Holiday Warehouse Sale in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem operators can leverage this large-scale retail event as a model for community-based inventory management.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Gildan Activewear will host its holiday warehouse sale at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Event Center from November 19-22, 2026. The event, which features apparel from HanesBrands, Comfort Colors, and Gold Toe, supports 44 programs and 25 local nonprofit organizations.
Why it matters
The sale serves as a significant fundraising engine for local nonprofits while highlighting Gildan’s operational footprint following its $4.4 billion acquisition of HanesBrands last December. It demonstrates how large-scale retail events can be leveraged to drive community engagement and corporate social responsibility outcomes.
Last year's holiday warehouse sale generated approximately $233,000 for local beneficiaries. The event supports 44 programs and 25 nonprofit partners in the Winston-Salem area.
The players
Gildan Activewear
A major apparel manufacturer based in Toronto that operates a large retail and production network.
United Way of Forsyth County
A local nonprofit organization that coordinates social programs and fundraising across the Winston-Salem region.
HanesBrands
A formerly independent apparel company now integrated into Gildan's global operations.
The details
Gildan manages local logistics by utilizing its existing workforce, including 500 former HanesBrands employees based in the Park Building. Shoppers gain access through Gate 7 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Event Center, with free parking and admission provided. The company accepts both cash and credit cards to facilitate high-volume throughput for the inventory clearance.
Timeline
December 2: Gildan acquired HanesBrands.
November 19-22, 2026: Holiday warehouse sale occurs.
Market Landscape
This event follows the operational and philanthropic patterns established by the 2025 holiday warehouse sale. It serves as a continuation of Gildan’s local footprint strategy following the company's recent consolidation of its regional apparel manufacturing assets.
Local business operators should note the event's high-volume logistics model and its potential impact on local foot traffic near the fairgrounds. Organizations interested in future partnership opportunities may monitor the United Way’s engagement metrics from this event to understand the scale of local corporate-nonprofit collaborations.
The takeaway
Large-scale corporate clearance events act as both inventory management tools and significant local economic drivers. Operators looking to mirror this model should track the logistics of the event's gate management and payment processing to ensure efficient throughput.
Further reading
For more on how local businesses engage with community initiatives, see Philanthropy.
More information
To review volunteer opportunities or related programs, visit the United Way volunteer registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Winston-Salem Journal.
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