01 April,2011 08:24 AM IST | | Priyanjali Ghose
Courtesy cricket mania, stores selling Team India jerseys record whopping sale figures; online sites anticipate stocks will run out as tomorrow draws near
Teamu00a0u00a0India's recent win over Pakistan has driven cricket fans wild in efforts to wear the colours of the team. With this craze, the demand for 'official' team India merchandise continues to soar in the city.
While online sites selling merchandise anticipate that they will not be able to cope with the burgeoning demand, franchisee stores sold stock exceeding Rs 1 lakh over three days.
Colour of victory: Indian fans are swarming to stores to buy their
personalised jersey before the World Cup final. Pic/Satish Badiger
"We have sold jerseys worth Rs 1 lakh in the last three days and people continue to visit our store throughout the day," said an official from Planet Sports, a franchise store of Nike.
Jerseys range from Rs 895 to Rs 2,495 and can be ordered online or bought from any Nike or franchisee store. The design worn by Indian players, cost about Rs 2,495 and all jerseys can be customised. Vijay, the Nike area head for Bangalore, informed that on the day of the Indo-Pak match, the store sold nearly 100 jerseys.
After India's win on Wednesday, the store sold around 20 Nike jerseys. Mukesh Bansal, CEO of www.myntra.com, an online sports lifestyle destination said that over the last two months, 15,000 jerseys were sold raking in a profit of almost Rs 2 crore. However, with increase in demand, stores are apprehensive about being able to cater to all.
"The craze is phenomenal. If India wins again, people will demand more, but we are not sure if we will have stock," said Bansal.
Nike however, assures that it is all set to face the rising demand. "This is part of the plan and was expected. Team India cricket jerseys will be available and we are more than happy to help cricket fans to bleed blue," said Sanjay Gangopadhyay, Marketing Director, Nike India.
However, not everyone could buy the jersey at one go. "The store was jam-packed when I went to buy one for the first time. Stock had been depleted, but when I went back later, I was able to get one," said Neil Chauhan, market manager of a city radio station.
With India making it to the finals, those disappointed after returning from stores empty handed are all geared to try their luck again to be in costume for April 2. "I wanted one on Wednesday itself, but the shop had run out of stock. But for the finals I am picking up one for sure," said G V Anil, a city based entrepreneur. He added that wearing a jersey would add to the fun and show his support for the country.
