NBC has reported a significant increase in merchandise sales during the Beijing summer games over the Torino winter games two years ago.
Record viewership for the recently concluded 2008 Summer Olympics apparently sparked an 81% increase in sales of Olympics merchandise through NBC’s online store, www.nbcuniversalstore.com, compared to sales during the Torino games.
The most popular items in the store were Charles Fazzino Olympics pins, the Ralph Lauren diving cap, the “swimmers shirt,” and Nike apparel, including T-shirts and the men’s and women’s windbreakers that were most frequently worn by gymnasts when they received their medals. The DVD of the opening ceremonies in Beijing was also among the best sellers.
The NBC store offered more than 100 items in its online store at the outset of the games. Those items will remain available for sale as long as the inventory lasts.
“The Beijing Olympics have captured the public’s imagination and their interest in the games is sparking very strong sales,” said Jeffrey Rottenberg, director of NBC Retail Operations, in a statement.
NBC is currently preparing to make products related to the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics ready for sale during the upcoming holiday season.
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