Tipping off the Right Way: 3 Ways Sports Teams Can Maximize Merch Sales Ahead of the New Season

The arrival of fall signals the start of the new sporting season for some of the US’ biggest leagues. While the National Football League (NFL) has already kicked off, October will introduce the 2023/24 seasons for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL). The new season buzz presents an ideal opportunity for every franchise to optimize their branding efforts.

Merchandise plays an integral part in a sports fan’s ability to show their pride in their team. The Licensed Sports Merchandise was valued at $31.3 Billion in 2022, and whether its Patrick Mahomes, Alexander Ovechkin, or whatever NBA-based star-player trade is cooked up in the coming months (our money is still on Damian Lillard to Miami), fans will be desperate to get the names of their favourite players on their backs. Each franchise simply needs to find a way to maximize their sales in time for the new-season hype.

With plenty of time to get their arena stores in order, we’ve outlined 3 ways that sports teams can maximize merch sales ahead of the new season…

1 – Create Convenience

Convenience is everything in retail today, and omnichannel fulfilment options are enabling consumers to shop in the ways that suit them best, particularly through Buy Online Pickup In-store (BOPIS). Loyal sports fans have enough to worry about in the build up to game day. As a regular visitor to their team’s arena, BOPIS presents an attractive option. They simply purchase their merch ahead of time, and collect it once they arrive on game day.

The key to convenience lies in providing options. With Teamwork Commerce’s Order Management System, sports teams can allow their fans to purchase items as per their convenience – whether through BOPIS, completely online, or fully in-store.

Leveraging the omnichannel capabilities of our retail solution, MLB side Colorado Rockies allows its customers to not only utilize omnichannel purchasing options, but it also enables them to return items to any location in the Greater Denver area. Read the full case study here to find out more!

2 – Faster is Better

Amidst the game day hype, speed is of paramount importance for retailers and fans alike. A busy arena often results in a busy store, and visitors are equally as keen to make it to their seats in time for the start of the game as they are to purchase their goods. And they will abandon their cart if they need to.

As a result, retailers must find ways to complete sales quickly. One solution lies in mobile Point of Sale (POS). Teamwork Commerce’s cutting edge Mobile POS solution allows in-store associates to serve customers, from anywhere in-store, in seconds. No longer tying employees to checkout terminals, Mobile POS significantly minimizes in-store queue times, leading to a higher volume of sales and satisfied customers – who can make their way to their seats having completed any last-minute shopping.

3 – Reward Loyal Fans

Die-hard season ticket holders deserve to be rewarded. And one key solution to enabling this comes in the form of loyalty points. For sports teams, this could be a result of reaching certain spending targets in the arena or stadium, in-store purchases or even attending a certain amount of games. With the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, sports teams can integrate loyalty schemes that reward the biggest fans.

Our Secure CRM technology facilitates loyalty schemes that create personalized discounts, promotions and rewards seamlessly. Integrating the solution with its wider technology stack, the store can utilize data and analytics to create rewards bespoke to each customer, driving optimal value and keeping fans happy.

A fan will (hopefully) never switch allegiances, but that doesn’t mean teams shouldn’t treat them when they’ve earned it!

A Long Season Ahead

The new-season excitement is reaching its peak, and sports teams need to act quickly if they want to make the most of high appetites. The sporting season isn’t short by any stretch, and teams will have plenty of time over the next 9 months to generate merch sales. However, those who invest in the right technology sooner rather than later can begin reaping the rewards immediately, keeping fans happy and optimizing revenues.

Want to learn more about how your team’s stadium can benefit from an all-encompassing retail technology solution? Book a demo here.