PANJIM: With the FIFA World Cup four days away, football fever in Goa is increasing and it can be confirmed by the rise in demand for official football team jerseys, leading to stocks getting exhausted at some outlets.
“We have sold over 400 pieces of jerseys in the past days and the demand is increasing every other day as the World Cup approaches,” Edwin Heredia, Store Manager of Champs – The Sports Shop said.
“At the moment, we are out of stock and many customers have to return back empty handed. But stocks will arrive shortly,” he added, revealing that his store has been making a brisk sale of the World Cup merchandise selling about 70-90 jerseys in a day over the past few days.
Goan sports retailers have decorated their outlets with the World Cup merchandise – jerseys, flags and other items.
Jerseys are priced at around Rs 525 to Rs 890 at Champs, with the store promising the best quality. However, Heredia revealed that his store was most visited by the Brazil and Portugal fans in a bid to grab their jerseys.
Surprisingly, it isn’t just about Brazil or Portugal anymore. The die-hard Samba and Portuguese football fans have some serious rivals from Argentina, Germany, France, England and Belgium supporters who have grown over the years.
“We didn’t expect it. We encountered more customers for the France jersey,” said Edesh Haldankar, store manager of Nike retail outlet based in Panjim. Surprisingly, Nike is the kit partner of Brazil, which has been second in demand
followed by Portugal at the outlet.
“We had Brazil fans picking up their colours, but I think Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Griezmann won more fans then Neymar in Goa as the France jerseys are moving fast for us. We have sold around 60 per cent of France merchandise as compared to Brazil and Portugal,” revealed Haldankar.
Nike official team jerseys are priced at Rs 4995 while the official training kits are priced at Rs 2995, slightly above the official fan t-shirts which are priced at Rs 1695.
Despite France merchandise moving quickly, it’s the Brazil fans who have grabbed the most official jerseys as compared to the other fans.
The Adidas retail store, situated next door, has been doing brisk business too. The brand being the official kit partner to Germany, Argentina, Spain and others, is also experiencing good business. “Yes, the customers have joined the World Cup party and have grabbed their sportswear too. We had more of Germany fans here,” said the store boy.
The support for the tournament has been diversified over the course of time. It isn’t just about the two countries anymore. With the growing star-studded Spanish and English football leagues, the fan following for International football has spread to maximum nations. Thanks to their respective idols, who are leading their nations along with a huge fan following.
