While the entire world is watching London's preparations for the forthcoming Olympics, customer centered, and shrewd retailers are on their toes, aiming to commercialize on this ancient Greek game. The approaching Olympics is expected to bring a boom in UK's apparel market.

Customer expectations have become the driving force of today's retail industry. Retailers manipulate their attitudes so as to drive higher margins, and productivity. The forthcoming Olympic Games to be held in 2012 in London is creating a significant effect on the fashion and apparel retail industry. The joy of the approaching event rippled out weeks later, as apparel retailers and fashion designers came up with new wave fashions. Retailers are selling clothes featuring a distinctive look into the upcoming 2012 Olympics.


In addition to the direct benefits the Olympic Games bring to the host country; the game also brings significant indirect benefits that cannot be ignored. Apparels with Olympic themes are selling like hot cakes in the market.The approaching Olympic games, apart from attracting thousands of athletes,officials, and journalists will also attract more than 2, 50, 000 overseas tourists. Analysts predict that the event is likely to generate 100 million revenue for the retail sector of UK. Apparel and footwear is expected to see big turnovers.


This would be a golden season for apparel retailers if they think,and act in a timely manner. For apparel makers who want to expand their business overseas, and drive their sales, this is an opportunity on an international scale. The event will provide a fine opportunity for them to showcase their brands to the global media. Retailers are actively filling their store racks with Olympic themed clothing aiming at both the domestic customers,and overseas tourists who would be visiting during the event.


Fashion blends with 2012 Olympics:


Graphic style t-shirts showcasing Olympic motifs, tailored shorts in range of shades, and sport coats with varying hues are available in the market.Clothes in neutral cream to vibrant purple, futuristic green running tops,geometric patterned swimwear aesthetically inspired by corsetry and designed for freedom of movement, sheer hooded sweat shirts, and shorts are available for the fashion conscious shopper to try out a new look.


The sunnier side of men:

Menswear is massively inspired by the approaching event. Brands with deep pockets such as Prada, Missoni, and Dolce & Gabbana are focusing their recent collections towards the event, creating a sportswear feeling for the upcoming summer fashion. Flaming Olympic torches adorn T-shirts, and iconic Greek athletic images are printed giving a quirky flair of the game. T-shirts with Olympic medals draped around the neckline is designed by Britain's leading Vivienne Westwood.

Olympic Mascots - lucky charm for retailers too:

The monocular pair of Olympic mascots; Wenlock and Mandeville are also on the retail focus. While Olympic organizers are confident that the pair will generate 1 billion revenue during the games, retailers have immortalized them by printing their image on t-shirts, caps, mugs, and many other fashion accessories. Many people from all over the world would love to collect Olympic merchandise, no matter, the price tag. The Beijing Olympic mascots have been more successful so far in generating revenue. The 2012 Olympic organizers are confident that the London event would generate revenues that would surpass the former one. 2012 would prove how lucky the mascots would be for UK retailers.

Celebrated brands in the ground:

2012 Olympics will be a place where style meets performance. Athletes, officials, and staff at the Olympics will also be able to involve themselves into a touch of haute couture sports apparels. Leading designer Stella McCartney has been appointed as a creative director for team outfits for the forthcoming event. Athletes of UK will be sponsored by Adidas, working with Stella McCartney to create eco-friendly performance wears. Adidas would be the official partner for the 2012 London Olympics. British high street fashion retailer Next has been appointed as the official supplier and provider.

Tons of Olympic themed apparels are sold in the market facilitating customers to cheer up their favorite team. The widely publicized Olympic Games and Olympic culture is best displayed in front of the globe through apparels, deepening the impact of the game.


References:


1)     Olympicgames2012london.org

2)     Olympicmerchandise2012.com

3)     Designerzcentral.com

4)     Sportspromedia.com

5)     Apparel Online, August 16-31, 2011