LOI/FAI shop in Dublin city centre

**DSandy** · 13/02/2009, 1:55 PM

Just wondering if this could be a runner or not. A merchandising shop for both the FAI & for all LOI clubs. There are more and more empty retail units in Dublin city centre (unfortunately) which must offer an opportunity to get a location at a knock down rental price. Would offer exposure for all the club with the onus on each club to provide the stock for the LOI section.

Any thoughts on this from anyone?

garyderry · 13/02/2009, 1:58 PM

Originally Posted by DSandy

Just wondering if this could be a runner or not. A merchandising shop for both the FAI & for all LOI clubs. There are more and more empty retail units in Dublin city centre (unfortunately) which must offer an opportunity to get a location at a knock down rental price. Would offer exposure for all the club with the onus on each club to provide the stock for the LOI section.

Any thoughts on this from anyone?

This has been mentioned loads of times in the past, not sure if its ever been brought up with the FAI though.

**sligoman** · 13/02/2009, 2:03 PM

Great idea, do no harm really.

**Rovers1** · 13/02/2009, 2:05 PM

Originally Posted by DSandy

Just wondering if this could be a runner or not. A merchandising shop for both the FAI & for all LOI clubs. There are more and more empty retail units in Dublin city centre (unfortunately) which must offer an opportunity to get a location at a knock down rental price. Would offer exposure for all the club with the onus on each club to provide the stock for the LOI section.

Any thoughts on this from anyone?

is this a planned business venture of yours Sandy or is it just a thought?

**Dodge** · 13/02/2009, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Great idea, do no harm really.

Unless it lost money. Money which the league/clubs doesn't/don't really have to lose

**Ash** · 13/02/2009, 2:07 PM

I thought Elverys are the "official" shop of the FAI

**Mr A** · 13/02/2009, 2:11 PM

They could also sell the dead and injured monkeys from the half time fights there.

Bound to be a decent market for that in all fairness.

**stovelid** · 13/02/2009, 2:18 PM

I'd assume most supporters prefer to buy stuff direct from their clubs?

**dcfcsteve** · 13/02/2009, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Unless it lost money. Money which the league/clubs doesn't/don't really have to lose

I assume the plan was for the FAI to pick-up the tab though, as a de-facto marketing exercise.

As for supporters preferring to buy direct off clubs, such a city centre store would be aimed more at the general public and tourists than existing core suport. They'd still buy from their clubs. It would also be helpful for 'exiled' fans in Dublin who wouldn't want to have to go all the way back home to pick-up a new scarf etc.

Don't forget that Dublin City shifted a load of kit (precise numbers never revealed) purely by having a city centre tourist presence. Tourists buy footy kit - I've a drawer full of football tops from my Summer trip to Peru, for example (some sweet ones in there !).

I think it's a good idea that the FAI should give serious consideration to.

**Dodge** · 13/02/2009, 2:49 PM

For the record steve most Dublin clubs have been selling their jerseys in sports like Elverys, Champion and Arnotts for the past few years.

**gufct** · 13/02/2009, 2:53 PM

Elverys brand Rival is the Kit Supplier For GUFC and sell their gear in their shops countrywide and online.

**CuanaD** · 13/02/2009, 3:04 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

For the record steve most Dublin clubs have been selling their jerseys in sports like Elverys, Champion and Arnotts for the past few years.

Yes, but that's not exactly the point.
A dedicated shop city center - with Ireland Kit & all LOI kit complete with all paraphernalia associated. it will pull in Tourists & county exiles & could do a reasonable turnover. At the very least it would be a good advertisement.

Wonder what rents/overheads are down to in the city center these days?

**Dodge** · 13/02/2009, 3:12 PM

Originally Posted by CuanaD

it will pull in Tourists & county exiles & could do a reasonable turnover. At the very least it would be a good advertisement.

Lads I'd love this to be true but I wouldn't be too confident of it working. Its very easy to make statements like "it will pull in tourists" when nobody has done any research on it.

It may bring in tourists, but will it bring in enough to pay for itself?

**DSandy** · 13/02/2009, 3:26 PM

Well my thinking would be exactly as dcfcsteve & some others have said, a main presence in the city centre, aimed more at exiles and tourists. Clubs would stock and get a percentage of anything sold but would be an FAI venture. I would envisage a 50/50 split between FAI international gear and LOI club gear, which would include mugs, scarfs etc. as well as kits.

This would be more a marketing tool, which would hopefully make enough to cover costs and bring brand awareness to the masses rather than a way for any club or the FAI to make big money. It would also centralise availability of FAI International/LOI gear. I know some club gear is available in different stores but in a rather patchy manner.

Worth an email to the FAI? Would be better if it came from a supporters grouping or club though and would be good to get a consensus and then maybe float the idea to them. They would then investigate the initial proposal and come back with thoughts, feasibility etc. This is an idea, the ins-and-outs of it would need to be done by people who know what they're doing!

**Rovers Maniac** · 13/02/2009, 3:40 PM

Seen some Bohs tops even seen some Shams but thats about it in Dublin for LOI kits although i think the soccer shop do Shels as well as the others mentioned.

**Rovers1** · 13/02/2009, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

For the record steve most Dublin clubs have been selling their jerseys in sports like Elverys, Champion and Arnotts for the past few years.

i only ever see Shamrock, Bohs and Shels jerseys in Champion. Lifestyle dont do LoI shirts at all. The best shop in Dublin for LoI shirts is as RM said The Soccer Shop, plus they can order in any jersey you want.

**oldyouth** · 13/02/2009, 3:44 PM

A mail order business is the only way to do it. How many potential customers from outside Dublin would visit it?

**MariborKev** · 13/02/2009, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by DSandy

Worth an email to the FAI? Would be better if it came from a supporters grouping or club though and would be good to get a consensus and then maybe float the idea to them. They would then investigate the initial proposal and come back with thoughts, feasibility etc. This is an idea, the ins-and-outs of it would need to be done by people who know what they're doing!

Nice idea in theory, would never work in practice.

The rental costs of a city centre, high profile, outlet would make it completely unfeasibible. If high end labels are closing their doors there is no way an outlet like this could survive.

As others have said, fans can now purchase tops in Lifestyle, Champion etc etc. Okay they might not have the full range of a club shop(hold on, knowing the LOI they probably have more) but they would still enough to cover any tourist market.

**SkStu** · 13/02/2009, 4:03 PM

i like the idea and it would work well if combined with the Carrolls shop on Westmoreland Street (expanded or rent upstairs) or the Irish gift ahop on Grafton Street. A lot of passing tourists go in there. Jerseys etc can still be sold from club shops but chances of increased revenue from the "floating" customer if something like that was explored by the FAI, with an agreed cut going to the teams.

Sure, the ideas are not without flaws but they also have quite a bit of potential...

**Candystripe** · 13/02/2009, 4:40 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

i like the idea and it would work well if combined with the Carrolls shop on Westmoreland Street (expanded or rent upstairs) or the Irish gift ahop on Grafton Street. A lot of passing tourists go in there. Jerseys etc can still be sold from club shops but chances of increased revenue from the "floating" customer if something like that was explored by the FAI, with an agreed cut going to the teams.

Sure, the ideas are not without flaws but they also have quite a bit of potential...

This could be the best way to do it.

How many tourists start their tour in Dublin and finish in Dublin? Probably the vast majority of them.When I go somewhere I am always looking for places to get replica sports gear and having a designated area in a popular tourist shop on Grafton St would be perfect and would also be financially feasable.