In an agreement approved late last year, Collingswood Public School District Board of Education will now receive a percentage of net sales from Collingswood Panthers merchandise sold at local stores.

School administrators said local merchants—specifically ACME Market and Walgreens Pharmacy, both located on Cuthbert Boulevard—will give the district seven percent of net sales that Panthers athletic wear generates.

While residents may recall seeing Collingswood High School Panthers attire for sale at these local shops, these items are not supplied or distributed by the district.

"If you walk into Walgreens Pharmacy or ACME Market, you'll see shirts with the Panthers mascot hanging up," said Collingswood Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Oswald. "We do not put those shirts in the stores.

"But the agreement we approved simply ensures that, when a company puts Collingswood Panthers merchandise in a store and makes money off of our name or mascot, we get a cut," said Oswald.

According to Collingswood School District Business Administrator Beth Ann Coleman, the district has not yet received a payment from stores carrying Panthers gear.

"Payments are made quarterly," said Coleman. "We will receive seven percent of (a store's) net sales."

Coleman said board of education members' approval of this agreement doesn't mean the district is bound to its terms.

"It's a 1-year agreement," said Coleman. "It will renew—but we have the option to discontinue at any time."

As of Wednesday evening, ACME Market's athletic inventory featured only Haddon Twp. High School Hawks merchandise.

A bit further down Cuthbert Blvd., Walgreens Pharmacy's inventory displayed the merchandise of Haddon Twp. Hawks; Haddonfield Bulldawgs; and Collingswood Panthers.

While Panthers were represented at Walgreens Pharmacy on Wednesday, the store's display rack featured more red than blue.

Among countless hooded sweatshirts and shorts emblazoned with Hawks and Bulldawgs mascots, the sea of red was broken by Panther-blue only twice.

One pair of mesh gym shorts and one hooded sweatshirt were the only Panthers items remaining.

Store employees said their local sports gear inventory will ultimately be replenished, but did not know when.

At Walgreens Pharmacy, a hooded Panthers sweatshirt sells for $25.99 plus tax; and a pair of blue mesh shorts for $15.99 plus tax.

The sweatshirt—which has an image of a Panther on its front, and the word 'PANTHERS' along its left sleeve—does mention the district payout. Its price tag reads, 'Walgreens supports our schools....a portion of the proceeds donated to Collingswood High School.'

Panthers gym shorts—depicting a 'CHS' decal superimposed under the word 'Panthers'—also advertises school support. A gold sticker, separate from the price tag, reads 'donation,' and 'Walgreens supports our schools.'

A company called My Town Originals, according to the shirt's tag, is the entity commissioned to print Panthers gear.