Will official merchandise sales start taking a hit?

clarkydaz · Oct 8, 2020

The fallout and inquest of this window seems to be way more prominent than previous failures. Considering the

Evra/Neville episodes,
the 'letting Ole down',
the conspiracy theories about spending only for top 4
the embarrassing conduct over how weve been handling business
the laughing stock our board has become
the giving the 7 shirt to Canvani on deadline day

are fans still handing over money in droves or will this be a turning point? i myself dont spend a penny on merchandise and havnt done for years, but i wonder at what point a lot of fans just say enough

will the Cavani 7 sell in numbers, will that zebra shirt be a hit after all this? if sales do significantly fall that would certainly be a message the board notice

Kinsella · Oct 8, 2020

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clarkydaz · Oct 8, 2020

wow, what timing

Cloud7 · Oct 8, 2020

I’m still going to buy a United shirt because I’m still a United fan and I still like having the kits. Incidentally it’ll probably be exactly the Cavani 7 that I’m going to get this season :lol:

#07 · Oct 8, 2020

@clarkydaz I don't think the merch will take a huge hit. I don't think it will be as strong as it was 10 years ago but Man Utd is a strong brand.

What the club will probably be worried about is the impact of COVID19 on match going fans.

We keep hearing how the club is losing £4 million every match day and so on. A lot of season ticket holders go to Old Trafford out of habit. That habit has been forcibly broken by the Government. The way things are going you could see it being a year or more until fans are allowed back into Old Trafford. Over that time, if things continue on a downward spiral, many match going fans might decide just to pack it in. I'm not saying Old Trafford will be half empty or whatever but it makes a big difference to United's finances to be able to bank on 67,000+ renewing season tickets. If that number drops significantly and United start relying more on members and day trippers it'll cause a lot of nervousness.

elmo · Oct 8, 2020

It better be, it's the only thing that'll ensure the Glazers get someone qualified to handle the transfers because as long as their wallets aren't hurting, they'll still trust whoever Ed appoints.

romufc · Oct 8, 2020

#07 said:
If that number drops significantly and United start relying more on members and day trippers it'll cause a lot of nervousness.

The problem is that United have so many fans, if someone offered them a ticket, they probably would go because they do not go to OT regularly.

Its emotions, which is why there will never be empty seats at OT. There are sections of fans who support United but are not focused / don't care on the Woodward / Glazers issues. There are benefits of having 1 billion fans for the club but also downsides to it, which can be seen now.

#07 · Oct 8, 2020

romufc said:
The problem is that United have so many fans, if someone offered them a ticket, they probably would go because they do not go to OT regularly.

Its emotions, which is why there will never be empty seats at OT. There are sections of fans who support United but are not focused / don't care on the Woodward / Glazers issues. There are benefits of having 1 billion fans for the club but also downsides to it, which can be seen now.

The ground will never be empty or even half empty. However, when you're doing the maths guaranteed income makes a difference. For people who just look at United's numbers a big chunk of season ticket holders not renewing will be uncomfortable. Even if they're fairly confident members and day trippers will take those seats. In the first instance they have to demonstrate that to justify their projections of revenue. It would also send out a signal that the brands attraction is weakening if the number of season ticket holders fell by 5-10k. That's something sponsors etc take note of and United need to negotiate new shirt sponsorships etc in the near future.

romufc · Oct 8, 2020

#07 said:
The ground will never be empty or even half empty. However, when you're doing the maths guaranteed income makes a difference. For people who just look at United's numbers a big chunk of season ticket holders not renewing will be uncomfortable. Even if they're fairly confident members and day trippers will take those seats. In the first instance they have to demonstrate that to justify their projections of revenue. It would also send out a signal that the brands attraction is weakening if the number of season ticket holders fell by 5-10k. That's something sponsors etc take note of and United need to negotiate new shirt sponsorships etc in the near future.

I agree but there are alot of individuals I know who do not care about the board and will get the season tickets regardless.

The problem is, there is a waiting list which means once 5k people say they dont want a season ticket, they will find people who will still take this up.

I would love to see all us fans come together and boycott a couple games, but me you and the board all know this will never happen.

Kaos · Oct 8, 2020

Cloud7 said:
I’m still going to buy a United shirt because I’m still a United fan and I still like having the kits. Incidentally it’ll probably be exactly the Cavani 7 that I’m going to get this season

Why not buy a convincing fake kit? A good quality one can't really be distinguished from the original, and you won't be lining the Glazers' pockets.

clarkydaz · Oct 8, 2020

romufc said:
I agree but there are alot of individuals I know who do not care about the board and will get the season tickets regardless.

The problem is, there is a waiting list which means once 5k people say they dont want a season ticket, they will find people who will still take this up.

I would love to see all us fans come together and boycott a couple games, but me you and the board all know this will never happen.

The waiting list is a myth mate to project in demand

Cloud7 · Oct 8, 2020

Kaos said:
Why not buy a convincing fake kit? A good quality one can't really be distinguished from the original, and you won't be lining the Glazers' pockets.

Because I don’t want to buy a fake kit? Because in the grand scheme of things I don’t think that things like this will make a difference. Continued underperformance on the field will show eventually in our commercial deals, and that’s the only thing the glazers and woody will really pay attention to. From our end the only thing I can see actually making a difference is visible discontent on match days, which in itself we can’t do for a while.

Added to that, I believe we have one of those deals where Adidas pays us a set amount, and all the money that the shirts make they get to keep it, so buying a United kit isn’t lining the pockets of the glazers.

Even if it is, I don’t think they’re going anywhere for a long time yet, so I’m not going to compromise the things I enjoy in some hope that it speeds things along, which it may not even do.

Castia · Oct 8, 2020

Slightly off topic but why haven’t we announced a new shirt sponsor yet? This deal is up in a matter of months and there’s been no rumours or anything pointing to a new kit sponsor?

Wonder if Ed’s struggling to get a good deal in this corona impacted market.

ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg · Oct 8, 2020

You buy a shirt because of the club. You stick a players name on the back because you like that player.

If you are going to have a name on the back, and a favourite player has gone, then you pick another.

Cavani, Rashford, Martial, Fernandes are pretty good names to have on your back if that way inclined.

Personally I’ve bought one shirt in the last decade, and it’s been 20 years since I had players on my back. Yorke 19 and Beckham 7.

If I bought shirts, this summer wouldn’t have affected anything, I still support the team.

Kaos · Oct 8, 2020

Cloud7 said:
Because I don’t want to buy a fake kit? Because in the grand scheme of things I don’t think that things like this will make a difference. Continued underperformance on the field will show eventually in our commercial deals, and that’s the only thing the glazers and woody will really pay attention to. From our end the only thing I can see actually making a difference is visible discontent on match days, which in itself we can’t do for a while.

Added to that, I believe we have one of those deals where Adidas pays us a set amount, and all the money that the shirts make they get to keep it, so buying a United kit isn’t lining the pockets of the glazers.

Even if it is, I don’t think they’re going anywhere for a long time yet, so I’m not going to compromise the things I enjoy in some hope that it speeds things along, which it may not even do.

If thats the case, and its Adidas who take a hit on a slump on merch sales, then that would surely deter them from the club, thereby hurting the Glazers.

Tom Cato · Oct 8, 2020

clarkydaz said:
The fallout and inquest of this window seems to be way more prominent than previous failures. Considering the

Evra/Neville episodes,
the 'letting Ole down',
the conspiracy theories about spending only for top 4
the embarrassing conduct over how weve been handling business
the laughing stock our board has become
the giving the 7 shirt to Canvani on deadline day

are fans still handing over money in droves or will this be a turning point? i myself dont spend a penny on merchandise and havnt done for years, but i wonder at what point a lot of fans just say enough

will the Cavani 7 sell in numbers, will that zebra shirt be a hit after all this? if sales do significantly fall that would certainly be a message the board notice

Football clubs earn very little and next to nothing from shirt sales. So no they won't care.

It's all done through licensing, and we already receive compansation from that in form of sponsor money. The club might also take a small percentage (less than 10%) per shirt sold, which while still money, isn't enough to pay for a player, let alone any large salaries.

Any drop in sales this season will be attributed to covid-19 entirely.

Rob Bowman · Oct 8, 2020

I do not plan on buying anything new. I see no reason to invest in United when the owners will not invest either.

Wilt · Oct 8, 2020

Not keen on the zebra shirt... looks like a Newcastle fan who’s been hit by a truck.

Giving Cavani the No7 shirt was probably a shrewd move.

Handsome Devil · Oct 8, 2020

I've already ordered my Woodward 666 one.

Dr. Dwayne · Oct 8, 2020

This season's hats by New Era look nice :nervous:

@Bill.s.preston

Dr. Dwayne · Oct 8, 2020

Should go without saying though that we all know most merchandise sales do not go to the club but to Adidas ,etc. so boycotting/not purchasing anything only potentially hurts the club in the future not in the here and now.

monosierra · Oct 8, 2020

Our financials will be hit as a result of our underperformance when we sit down to negotiate with our next major sponsors. They might still be very interested due to our brand recognition but they will have greater leverage due to our consistent underperformance on the pitch and subsequent decline in brand value.

Reditus · Oct 8, 2020

Cloud7 said:
Added to that, I believe we have one of those deals where Adidas pays us a set amount, and all the money that the shirts make they get to keep it, so buying a United kit isn’t lining the pockets of the glazers.

I often see this but surely when it comes time to renewing shirt deals with Adidas or Nike or whoever, the amount that is paid depends on how well shirts are selling. So if everyone right now said lets never buy another shirt it would massively hurt them in the pockets in the long run

Really the best thing everyone can do is stop buying official Utd merch, stop following the club on social media and watch every utd game on an illegal stream. And when crowds return stop buying tickets to watch them play.

Its never going to happen. But its 100% how supporters could actually make something happen

arthurka · Oct 8, 2020

Been absolutely furious since they left Mourinho to dry and haven´t bought, subscribed or connected to anything United related since.
I will give Utd my money again when they sack Ed or sell the club.
Me and Utd are having a marital crisis so to speak as I feel like I´ve been cheated on.

Bubz27 · Oct 8, 2020

Cloud7 said:
Added to that, I believe we have one of those deals where Adidas pays us a set amount, and all the money that the shirts make they get to keep it, so buying a United kit isn’t lining the pockets of the glazers.

But anyone wanting to sponsor will look at shirt sales as one way to determine how much to pay to have their name on our shirt.

The other stuff you say is true to an extent but the power is with the people when you have enough people.

clarkydaz · Oct 8, 2020

Bubz27 said:
But anyone wanting to sponsor will look at shirt sales as one way to determine how much to pay to have their name on our shirt.

The other stuff you say is true to an extent but the power is with the people when you have enough people.

This is what i was getting at. The next round of negotiations for deals will reflect what has gone before, and if there is a drop in price the board will be wondering why. i also find it hilarious if true the womens shirts are outselling the men, thats really bad PR

Adisa · Oct 8, 2020

I wouldn't have any of the current players at the back of my shirt. Rather have Press, Heath or Groenen.

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Dr. Dwayne · Oct 8, 2020

clarkydaz said:
i also find it hilarious if true the womens shirts are outselling the men, thats really bad PR

Why, do you think women and girls don't like football and haven't been waiting for ages for United to have a women's team (again)? I think the large sales volumes reflects the excitement in this demographic at the team and the opportunity for them to wear shirts of the heroes (heroines if you like) they can actually relate to.

Indeed, this should be a selling point in furutre negotiations as, for the most part, kit sales are primarily to men and boys. With the women's team having such successful shirt sales the club can say that the potential market is larger.

VeevaVee · Oct 8, 2020

Bubz27 said:
But anyone wanting to sponsor will look at shirt sales as one way to determine how much to pay to have their name on our shirt.

The other stuff you say is true to an extent but the power is with the people when you have enough people.

Exactly this. We’re about to look for a new sponsor, so you can guarantee they’ll be looking at shirt sales when they decide how much it’s worth to them.

Bubz27 · Oct 8, 2020

VeevaVee said:
Exactly this. We’re about to look for a new sponsor, so you can guarantee they’ll be looking at shirt sales when they decide how much it’s worth to them.

It is the crumb I am holding on to. Adidas and Chevrolet deals will run out in the next few years. I can't see us making world record deals, which we have done in the past. Might that be the straw that fecks the camel up the arse.

Or we'll sign short term deals, say it's a hangover from covid and continue as we are.

Robertd0803 · Oct 9, 2020

I bought the home kit because of my OCD thing of needing to wear it when we play. I havent bothered with either away kit or any kits for my sons when Id normally have the lot.

I took stock of it last 2 years and the amount it cost was crazy. Normally get a hoodie or zip up every season as well and just cant be bothered this season.

Rood · Oct 9, 2020

Kinsella said:
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Bit of a silly story that - 3 days worth of sales is hardly significant, they had just signed as well

But anyway I havent bought any official merch for years apart from bargain basement stuff in Sports Direct

COVID and no fans at OT will surely have decimated sales at the Old Trafford Megastore but I reckon online sales of the new shirts probably went well

MissKatie · Oct 9, 2020

Bubz27 said:
It is the crumb I am holding on to. Adidas and Chevrolet deals will run out in the next few years. I can't see us making world record deals, which we have done in the past. Might that be the straw that fecks the camel up the arse.

Or we'll sign short term deals, say it's a hangover from covid and continue as we are.

That's exactly what I think will happen.
If the team is making ANY amount of profit I can't imagine the Glazers just walking away.

Will official merchandise sales start taking a hit?

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