Team Jerseys selling like hotcakes

One day before the historic Final between BRAZIL and FRANCE on 12 July at 21h00 at the Stade de France in SAINT-DENIS, sales at sporting goods stores are way up and team jerseys are flying off the shelves. Since the beginning of the World Cup FRANCE 98, sporting goods stores have been right in step with FRANCE and its dazzling performance. “First, we sold a lot of Brazilian jerseys, but ever since the quarterfinals, people can’t keep their hands off of FRANCE merchandise. We’re completely overwhelmed,” said one shopkeeper, joyfully.

The World Cup has been a godsend for many merchants, who, like ADIDAS for the past two days, are out of stock: “The FRANCE jersey is our best seller, followed by BRAZIL, the NETHERLANDS, JAMAICA, ARGENTINA and then ITALY.” There is an outburst of enthusiasm from the French for any merchandise having to do with FRANCE. “Most surprisingly, we have the good fortune of seeing clients in our store who wouldn’t usually come in. Mothers come in looking for jerseys for their sons or sons-in-law…This World Cup is for all the French.”

“From Footix merchandise to scarves to footballs, there is a public frenzy out there. Businesses are even taking advantage of the event to give gifts to their clients,” says one manager. Public fervour and support for the different teams is very strong, and with increasingly high stakes for the French, the event is taking place in the stadiums just as much as in the streets.