Big teams’ exit not hurting jersey sales

The exit of football giants Germany, Brazil and Portugal from the FIFA World Cup has not left vendors across the Corporate Area nursing losses.

Instead, many say they already made their money, while the jerseys, flags and memorabilia left behind are now destined to become collector’s items. Ann-Marie ‘Ciri’ Watson, of Tug Fashion on East Queens Street, said at the start of the tournament, sales were encouraging.

“Brazil did a gwaan good, that was the leading selling shirt and Argentina. Since Brazil drop out, from morning mi nuh sell one a di jersey dem,” she said. She admitted that when the team lost on Sunday, she cried.

“Mi bawl like baby. A mi husband haffi tell me fi tek it easy and calm down. It is what it is,” Watson admitted. Still proudly backing the five-time champions, she said she has no problem keeping what remains.

“Mi think a six Brazil flag mi have left and four suit. Me can wear dem because Brazil a my side. Mek we see what Argentina mek out of,” she said. Another vendor said many sellers slash prices once a team is eliminated, while others prefer to store items.

“But memba Brazil a give star same way. Fi all a the other side them, just fold dem up and put it up fi next World Cup,” the woman disclosed.

Over on Orange Street, vendor Dean said there is little reason to worry because most of the stock had already been snapped up by supporters before the tournament reached the knockout stage.

“What you see pon the table a di last buyers dem a come. Although the big side dem drop out, these will be classics and always in demand,” he said. “Vendors done make dem money offa Brazil and Argentina.”

He believes jerseys bearing the names of football’s biggest stars will continue attracting buyers for years to come.

“Messi a retire, Neymar a retire. Vini and the named ballers will forever be in style. People ago always want them.”

Veteran vendor Kirk Grant, who has been selling football merchandise for more than 16 years, said experience has taught him exactly how to stock up for tournaments. Grant, an England supporter, said he buys merchandise for every major team, including scarves, headbands and wristbands.

“People always want things fi show which team dem support, so it always sell. When World Cup comes around, you know how much fi buy and to what extent. If none lef back, we save it till next World Cup or try sell it when other events pon the calendar have jersey-themed settings. A nuh World Cup alone bring jersey sale.”