Table Of Contents
Introduction
Are You Due For A New Uniform?
Are You Using Merchandise As A Fundraiser?
Could You Be Offering More Items?
Could You Be Getting Better Value For Money?
Have You Had Your Fair Share Of Issues With Your Current Supplier?
Final Thoughts
Introduction
Reviewing merchandise and uniforms can be a time-consuming process. Still, it’s a crucial task that committees or managers should regularly carry out to ensure they are getting their club the best deal and experience.
Here at Cheeta, we recommend you review your supplier at least once every three years. Here are our top 5 reasons to review your merchandise and supplier.
Are You Due For A New Uniform?
If it’s been three or more years since you got your last uniform, it’s generally time to update your uniform and merchandise. Don’t get left in the past with old uniforms and styles while everyone else in your league is looking good in their new kits.
Especially if your club has many junior members, they will probably need new sizes every year as they grow. Updating your uniform shouldn’t be too much of an additional cost, as they would need to buy a new uniform regardless.
New uniforms can also boost the excitement in your athletes, making them feel proud to compete and train at your club. Fresh gear could even attract new members!
Are You Using Merchandise As A Fundraiser?
Alongside equipment or venue hire, uniforms can often be one of the largest expenses for a sporting club.
If your merchandise and apparel are running you at a loss, this can be a significant financial burden for the club to bear. By reviewing your supplier and apparel/merchandise offering, you may be able to turn this situation around completely.
Have you considered making uniforms and promo items a fundraiser? We have clubs making upwards of $500 profit from uniforms alone.
If you explain that your uniforms are a fundraiser for the club and that the money ensures they have great equipment, coaches and facilities, members should have no problem paying the price!
Could You Be Offering More Items?
Are you offering a variety of apparel? How about supporter gear? Is your current offering small and narrow, just the basics?
You could provide many more options, including beanies, scarves, tracksuit jackets, social polos, drink bottles and bags.
People don’t know what they want unless they have the option. So put the feelers out there around offering more items, and you may be pleasantly surprised by what your members want and will purchase.
Could You Be Getting Better Value For Money?
While money isn’t everything for custom uniforms, are you getting the right amount of value for your money? Is your supplier charging you reasonable prices?
Reviewing your spending and cross-checking with a few other suppliers on what you may pay elsewhere is highly beneficial.
If you can buy the garments from a supplier slightly cheaper, you could pass on this newfound discount to your members for cheaper uniforms, or keep your prices the same and raise more money for your club.
Have You Had Your Fair Share Of Issues With Your Current Supplier?
It happens across all industries, but issues with uniform suppliers can be highly detrimental to a sports club.
Has your current supplier missed crucial delivery timeframes, leaving you stuck with nothing to wear? Are you missing garments from what you ordered? Are names and numbers missing or wrong? Do your colours match across all garments? Have you had issues with the quality of your garments?
These hassles are all tell-tale signs you need to review your merchandise supplier.
Final Thoughts
It may seem like hunting a unicorn.
But there are suppliers out there who are doing everything they can to be easy to deal with, transparent, honest and upfront in communicating any issues as they arise, and who do everything in their power to meet and exceed your expectations.
Chat with us at Cheeta Teamwear today to see how we can help you!