The Mail Bag
Evertons disaster of a Megastore
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Now you would think that with all the euphoria of our season so far, Everton's official store would be chocked full of merchandise that fans like us, despite our economic woes, would be lining up to buy.
I went on there recently and would have gladly given up my hard-earned wages for shirts, shorts, jackets or whatever else was Everton-related but ? surprise, surprise ? everything was either sold out or available in boys' sizes.
Does the marketing department of Everton FC not recognize that this is the perfect time to take advantage of fan interest and generate some desperately needed revenue, especially by selling commemorative merchandise?
I know it is only an FA Cup semi-final but it has been a while since we were in one.
Only at Everton could something like this be allowed to occur. It is frightening to speculate what actually takes place when discussing much more important issues such as player transfers or Destination Kirkby.
Ajay Timothy, Posted 10/04/2009 at 13:05:08
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I had exactly the same experience and thoughts.
The running of our Club remains poor, it is only the skill of David Moyes in terms of revenue gained through league position and transfer dealings that has kept the club afloat.
We need more expertise in merchandise, marketing and PR.
The running of our Club remains poor, it is only the skill of David Moyes in terms of revenue gained through league position and transfer dealings that has kept the club afloat.
We need more expertise in merchandise, marketing and PR.
This is exactly the problem with Bill Kenwright running the club. He has failed to make the dramatic improvements needed in the running of the non-football side of Everton.
The result is no increased revenue generated for the footballing side of the club. He needed the same approach to this as David Moyes has had namely a long term strategic plan. He has completely failed to deliver this and I see no way this is going to change until he leaves.
I agree 100% and have been vocal in the past about the PR & marketing of our club. Every season we get pledges about listening to the fans etc, we will improve etc but every year the same concerns are voiced and not acted on??
I accept our limitations, I realise that opening outlets around Britain, Europe or the world is unfeasible because of our localised fanbase. That is ok, but the one place in the world you should be able to overspend and aquire all things Everton is our own fucking club shop?? Poorly set out, poorly stocked, poor in every way. It's a disgrace.
I also accept that we are in the middle of changing kit suppliers so we are in a ?transistion? period but it's not just replica shirts and kits that fans want.
Needs sorting!
I accept our limitations, I realise that opening outlets around Britain, Europe or the world is unfeasible because of our localised fanbase. That is ok, but the one place in the world you should be able to overspend and aquire all things Everton is our own fucking club shop?? Poorly set out, poorly stocked, poor in every way. It's a disgrace.
I also accept that we are in the middle of changing kit suppliers so we are in a ?transistion? period but it's not just replica shirts and kits that fans want.
Needs sorting!
It will be sorted when Tesco are the sole distributor of all things Everton. Perhaps, this is tied in to the exclusivity agreement.
With the shipping to the States I couldn’t afford to get anything from the megastore (as much as I’d love to!!!) but it’s never ceased to amaze me how often the sizes for various clothing items are only available in childrens sizes!!!
Maybe the club has run out of items as it is a known fact that clearance sale with rock bottom prices have been going on since Christmas in view of new kit sponsors replacing UMBRO for next season.
The megastore is going to be given a kick up the backside this summer. Kitbag are taking over the running of both the physical store and the online store (which will be evertonmegastore.com).
I do not know what will happen to the ILC Media store (dvds.evertonfc.com), there have been murmurings that Warner Brothers Communications want to become the offiical dvd/blu-ray partners for Everton.
The store on Walton Lane is to be remodelled by ’The Maxim Creative Group’, they have designed Manchester United’s and Birmingham City’s megastores.
There is also a second store opening in Liverpool One in May/June. This will also be operated by Kitbag. A retail strategist at Grosvenor has confirmed this. Originally the club felt Liverpool One would be too expensive to lease but Kitbag have insisted on a city centre prescence.
The store in Birkenhead is set to close.
I do not know what will happen to the ILC Media store (dvds.evertonfc.com), there have been murmurings that Warner Brothers Communications want to become the offiical dvd/blu-ray partners for Everton.
The store on Walton Lane is to be remodelled by ’The Maxim Creative Group’, they have designed Manchester United’s and Birmingham City’s megastores.
There is also a second store opening in Liverpool One in May/June. This will also be operated by Kitbag. A retail strategist at Grosvenor has confirmed this. Originally the club felt Liverpool One would be too expensive to lease but Kitbag have insisted on a city centre prescence.
The store in Birkenhead is set to close.
Why would there be any clothes merchandise in every size??? Umbro aren't making any more merchandise and it's nearly the end of the season... I'm sure Le Coq Sportif will have some nice gear in both the Goodison and Liverpool 2 shops. As for everything else, that's been well highlighted with Mr Elstone I'm sure since Bully's gone. One step at a time, lads.
Barry has it right about why there is nothing in the store at the moment.
However I think Cian might be in dream land if he feels that Le Coq Sportif will have ?some nice gear? next season ? have you seen any of the kits/clothes they have done for City in the recent years?? I really feel let down by us going with them. They are responsible for producing two of the worst kits that this club has ever worn (albeit the ones that are our most sucessful ones!).
However the stories about Kitbag making us have a shop in Liverpool One are much better ? especially as it is to be called Everton Two!
However I think Cian might be in dream land if he feels that Le Coq Sportif will have ?some nice gear? next season ? have you seen any of the kits/clothes they have done for City in the recent years?? I really feel let down by us going with them. They are responsible for producing two of the worst kits that this club has ever worn (albeit the ones that are our most sucessful ones!).
However the stories about Kitbag making us have a shop in Liverpool One are much better ? especially as it is to be called Everton Two!
Things have not changed off the field since Cliff Finch and Peter Johnson were running the show in 1995.
My Sister lives in Buckingham. Apparently on a trip into Milton Keynes, she went into JD Sports and there was loads of Everton kits. Unfortunately her husband and kids are RS so she refused to pick anything up. Shirts (home and both aways) are there in all sizes. Incredibly going for 13 quid ? What's all that about?
Wyness sold off the merchandise rights to JJB years ago and Kenwright let him do it. That's why there is never any decent gear in the shops. It's down to another company as they make the profit on all sales.
I dont know when this farcical deal ends but it's a disgrace. Even the pies and pints are outsourced at Goodison Park. Every man and his dog is skimming a piece of the action while the club gets nothing.
Trust BK over Kirkby? I wouldn't.
I dont know when this farcical deal ends but it's a disgrace. Even the pies and pints are outsourced at Goodison Park. Every man and his dog is skimming a piece of the action while the club gets nothing.
Trust BK over Kirkby? I wouldn't.
Tony - have you not read the previous posts??
The deal with JJB ends in June. The club have replaced this with a deal with Kitbag (they are the ones who are insisting on a shop in the city centre) and Le Coq Sportif.
The reason all the stuff is so cheap is that JJB/Umbro want shut of it all and haven?t made any of the adult prices for months.
The deal with JJB ends in June. The club have replaced this with a deal with Kitbag (they are the ones who are insisting on a shop in the city centre) and Le Coq Sportif.
The reason all the stuff is so cheap is that JJB/Umbro want shut of it all and haven?t made any of the adult prices for months.
Sorry Guys, it was JJB not JD Sports. Get into their website if you need a shirt, they?re actually cheaper than I said...
I really, really, hope that the store is called Everton Two.
I wish there was an Everton megastore in AUSTRALIA!!!
Here, here to a store in Aus. At the moment I am either paying $150 for a shirt w/o names or buying one off a website when they are on sale but paying crap loads in travel costs.
It cost me extra to register Everton 2 as my personal car registration plate.
After years of derisive honks all over Australia now that we are a force to be reckoned with everyone wants to climb on my bandwaggon.
After years of derisive honks all over Australia now that we are a force to be reckoned with everyone wants to climb on my bandwaggon.
To be fair, they are in the process of recruiting a new Commercial Manager. Hopefully, he/she will sort it out!
All you have to do is get used to it. It has been going on for years... we are shit at giving are fans what they want.
I was in the process of buying 3 shirts and a couple of pairs of shorts, the price involved was more than reasonable, but the postage to Australia was ridicuously over the top, and there was no opportunity to combine postage costs. For fuck?s sake, are we still in the Dark Ages?
All you see over here are the Sky 4 shirts, surely there can be some common sense to get the one decent club's merchandise down under.
COYB
All you see over here are the Sky 4 shirts, surely there can be some common sense to get the one decent club's merchandise down under.
COYB
Perhaps there are no larger sizes in stock because all the fat bastards had the same idea as you and have already bought them. It is getting near the end of the season so people would have already bought them and as we no longer have a deal with Umbro, why would they make thousands more that may or may not sell?
Did you expect any thing to be run proffesionally with our prick of a chairman? , who incedentallly was recently voted into the Everton Hall Of Fame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My background is retail and as an Everton fan, I am disgusted at the way Everton are marketed on the High Street, even more so given that Mr Tesco is also a fan. As a blindingly obvious point, more people wear football shirts in the summer (something to do with the weather) than the winter so it stands to reason that stocks should be high then.
My other BIG gripe is the lack of casual wear available: t-shirts, jeans etc ? all we seem to get is shitty stuff that looks like it?s from Blackpool seafront. FFS, Billy boy, is bessie mates with Philip Green (Retail God), surely him and Mr Tesco could point us in the right direction? It?s actualy really big business.
The trouble is nobody at the top of Everton wants to give it any management time. Billy Liar is "Just a fan" and his mates Green and Earl are too busy sailing round the world waiting for their DK bonus. Elstone cannot do it on his own ? something fat Keith came to realise before he jumped ship.
We need a "champion" of Everton Marketing and we haven't got one. Some fan?s God actually stated, "That Everton fans dont buy shirts ? only Newcastle fans buy shirts" but there again he?s "only a fan" so what should we expect?
We need a "champion" of Everton Marketing and we haven't got one. Some fan?s God actually stated, "That Everton fans dont buy shirts ? only Newcastle fans buy shirts" but there again he?s "only a fan" so what should we expect?
Mega Store and Australia
This situation of having nothing in stock has always been the same - I have bought stuff for my 3 kids for years but always struggle because there is never stock of all items. This has nothing to do with Umbro or JJB and maybe finally things will improve? Some of the tee-shirts sold by the club over the last few years have been poor quality to say the least ? you could buy better on the streets of Bangkok.
Shops in Australia are still selling the shirts for around 50 pound when they have been 10 pound in the UK since November.
The alternative for my fellow Blue in Aus is to have a look at the supporters club website here: www.evertonfc.com.au and there is local merchandise. When the new gear is released it has been discussed by several of us here to buy in bulk and resell from the website and make things cheaper for the lads and kids over here.
Thanks.
This situation of having nothing in stock has always been the same - I have bought stuff for my 3 kids for years but always struggle because there is never stock of all items. This has nothing to do with Umbro or JJB and maybe finally things will improve? Some of the tee-shirts sold by the club over the last few years have been poor quality to say the least ? you could buy better on the streets of Bangkok.
Shops in Australia are still selling the shirts for around 50 pound when they have been 10 pound in the UK since November.
The alternative for my fellow Blue in Aus is to have a look at the supporters club website here: www.evertonfc.com.au and there is local merchandise. When the new gear is released it has been discussed by several of us here to buy in bulk and resell from the website and make things cheaper for the lads and kids over here.
Thanks.
I dunno, I actually think the Man City kit is nice. I've seen our new kit leaked on the web and it looks pretty good. 1984 all over again but how bad? ? it's all a matter of opinion. I think Addidas and Nike are as common as muck, and we do have an affinity with the Le Coq since our glory days. I know that some of their gear, eg Stoke, isn't that impressive but yea, the Man City training gear is pretty cool.
It may only be a year or two late, half the size of Liverpool's place and only two doors down but one of the new shops in Liverpool 1 IS going to be an Everton store! COYB!
Brilliant name for the new city centre store. It couldn't be called anything else. Well done to the Everton marketing dept.
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1 Posted 10/04/2009 at 16:46:06
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