Changes set for Club’s retail operation
The Sporting Pride store on 12 Cloth Hall Street, Huddersfield town centre, will close at the end of August 2013.
Commercial Director Sean Jarvis explained the decision to htafc.com:
“Huddersfield Town’s current Board of Directors inherited the Sporting Pride store when it took over at the start of the ‘New Era’ in 2009. It was opened in August 2003 and since then has sold both Town and Giants merchandise.
“The lease, liability and risk are with Town and we manage and run it, with a contribution to costs from the Giants based on its sales. On commercial terms, the risks all lie with the Club and now it is up, we have undertaken a strategic review of our retail operations.
“We were informed by the Huddersfield Giants that they intend to pull out of the Sporting Pride store when the lease expires in August 2013 and that left the Club with a decision to make.
“In recent years, our retail operation has gone from strength to strength, thanks largely in a growth in internet-based sales. With increased sales in the Stadium Superstore and online via htafcmegastore.com, we have decided to cease having a town centre store with staff moving to the Stadium Superstore. As a result, the decision is the correct one for the Club.
“Huddersfield Town is constantly looking at ways of improving our retail offering to supporters and that will not change.
“The end of this lease presents the Club with the chance to look at new retail opportunities, such as the possibility of working alongside club partners or a small retail presence at Canalside. It also presents us with the chance to expand our retail operations around peak times, such as Christmas or surrounding kit launches, for example.”
The Stadium Superstore will still be open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays; 9am to 12 noon on Saturday non match days and between 9am and kick-off on Saturday match days.
Shop online 24 hours a day, seven days a week with www.htafcmegastore.com!
