Several of the posts on this page have already alluded to the primary purpose of a club shop. It is not to act as a money spinner, at least not in the short term. It is part of the glue that helps bond people (youngsters mainly) to the club. It's the place where you can get something that proclaims your allegiance. The place where you can get a souvenir to commemorate your suffering. The place where you can quite literally become a fully badged up supporter.
Thinking of it in terms of number of key rings sold, or the marginal difference in takings between Charlton branded stuff versus Castore branded stuff isn't a helpful way to think about it. What's important is that some little kid goes into that shop on a Saturday, and on Monday they tell their school mates that they are a Charlton fan because they have the right shirt, hat, football, cuddly toy or whatever it is that fate and dedicated parents have bestowed upon them.
Go to more or less any non league ground and you'll find that they have a shop of sorts. It may be nothing more grand than a garden shed with an open front window, or perhaps just a few bits and bobs behind the bar. It might not be much, but it's somewhere where people can get physical objects that help bind them to the club. Having a properly functioning club shop is not about making a few pennies to fund operations, it's about helping to maintain the long term support. If a handful of amateurs running some Isthmian League outfit can understand this, what a pity our club can't.
Or buy it online?
I got my 1987 fullMembers cup hat from erith market.
A club shop of that size is pointless. How much trade or foot traffic is there on a non match day. It's away from the stadium and car park slightly which means it's less likely to catch foot traffic from people getting tickets or corporate guests.
the club shop is dead long live the craft beer bar with a click and collect counter for club merchandise
I don't see how it makes difference whether its full of Castore track suits and training tops or Charlton merchandise in that case?
It's there anyway, so why not have some of what some people want in there? For once I think I can speak with full confidence that no Charlton fan ever said "I am not going in there if it sells Charlton branded pencil sharpeners and beer mugs as well as expensive Castore leisure tops and replica kit, I refuse to be in the same room as a CAFC pin badge".
I go into it on non-matchdays so I don't have to cart a bag full of tat to the match with me.
That's my point, foot traffic for a shop of that size selling either Charlton merchandise or other sporting ranges is not going to make money.
converting the shop into a match day bar and a non match day corporate facility in my view, would provide greater revenue streams
it's such a weird little building, I know cost is a factor but I've always thought adding a second level with a walkway onto the stadium would be a good idea......I'm off to email Tommy
How about a fishing superstore instead? Britain’s number one pass time.
Pass time - a report to the grammar Police is winging it’s to them for you young man
Several of the posts on this page have already alluded to the primary purpose of a club shop. It is not to act as a money spinner, at least not in the short term. It is part of the glue that helps bond people (youngsters mainly) to the club. It's the place where you can get something that proclaims your allegiance. The place where you can get a souvenir to commemorate your suffering. The place where you can quite literally become a fully badged up supporter.
Thinking of it in terms of number of key rings sold, or the marginal difference in takings between Charlton branded stuff versus Castore branded stuff isn't a helpful way to think about it. What's important is that some little kid goes into that shop on a Saturday, and on Monday they tell their school mates that they are a Charlton fan because they have the right shirt, hat, football, cuddly toy or whatever it is that fate and dedicated parents have bestowed upon them.
Go to more or less any non league ground and you'll find that they have a shop of sorts. It may be nothing more grand than a garden shed with an open front window, or perhaps just a few bits and bobs behind the bar. It might not be much, but it's somewhere where people can get physical objects that help bind them to the club. Having a properly functioning club shop is not about making a few pennies to fund operations, it's about helping to maintain the long term support. If a handful of amateurs running some Isthmian League outfit can understand this, what a pity our club can't.
Or buy it online?
I got my 1987 fullMembers cup hat from erith market.
A club shop of that size is pointless. How much trade or foot traffic is there on a non match day. It's away from the stadium and car park slightly which means it's less likely to catch foot traffic from people getting tickets or corporate guests.
the club shop is dead long live the craft beer bar with a click and collect counter for club merchandise
I don't see how it makes difference whether its full of Castore track suits and training tops or Charlton merchandise in that case?
It's there anyway, so why not have some of what some people want in there? For once I think I can speak with full confidence that no Charlton fan ever said "I am not going in there if it sells Charlton branded pencil sharpeners and beer mugs as well as expensive Castore leisure tops and replica kit, I refuse to be in the same room as a CAFC pin badge".
I go into it on non-matchdays so I don't have to cart a bag full of tat to the match with me.
That's my point, foot traffic for a shop of that size selling either Charlton merchandise or other sporting ranges is not going to make money.
converting the shop into a match day bar and a non match day corporate facility in my view, would provide greater revenue streams
it's such a weird little building, I know cost is a factor but I've always thought adding a second level with a walkway onto the stadium would be a good idea......I'm off to email Tommy
How about a fishing superstore instead? Britain’s number one pass time.
Pass time - a report to the grammar Police is winging it’s to them for you young man
Pastime 🤦
Likewise from me, you completely missed out the word “way”
Several of the posts on this page have already alluded to the primary purpose of a club shop. It is not to act as a money spinner, at least not in the short term. It is part of the glue that helps bond people (youngsters mainly) to the club. It's the place where you can get something that proclaims your allegiance. The place where you can get a souvenir to commemorate your suffering. The place where you can quite literally become a fully badged up supporter.
Thinking of it in terms of number of key rings sold, or the marginal difference in takings between Charlton branded stuff versus Castore branded stuff isn't a helpful way to think about it. What's important is that some little kid goes into that shop on a Saturday, and on Monday they tell their school mates that they are a Charlton fan because they have the right shirt, hat, football, cuddly toy or whatever it is that fate and dedicated parents have bestowed upon them.
Go to more or less any non league ground and you'll find that they have a shop of sorts. It may be nothing more grand than a garden shed with an open front window, or perhaps just a few bits and bobs behind the bar. It might not be much, but it's somewhere where people can get physical objects that help bind them to the club. Having a properly functioning club shop is not about making a few pennies to fund operations, it's about helping to maintain the long term support. If a handful of amateurs running some Isthmian League outfit can understand this, what a pity our club can't.
Or buy it online?
I got my 1987 fullMembers cup hat from erith market.
A club shop of that size is pointless. How much trade or foot traffic is there on a non match day. It's away from the stadium and car park slightly which means it's less likely to catch foot traffic from people getting tickets or corporate guests.
the club shop is dead long live the craft beer bar with a click and collect counter for club merchandise
I don't see how it makes difference whether its full of Castore track suits and training tops or Charlton merchandise in that case?
It's there anyway, so why not have some of what some people want in there? For once I think I can speak with full confidence that no Charlton fan ever said "I am not going in there if it sells Charlton branded pencil sharpeners and beer mugs as well as expensive Castore leisure tops and replica kit, I refuse to be in the same room as a CAFC pin badge".
I go into it on non-matchdays so I don't have to cart a bag full of tat to the match with me.
That's my point, foot traffic for a shop of that size selling either Charlton merchandise or other sporting ranges is not going to make money.
converting the shop into a match day bar and a non match day corporate facility in my view, would provide greater revenue streams
it's such a weird little building, I know cost is a factor but I've always thought adding a second level with a walkway onto the stadium would be a good idea......I'm off to email Tommy
How about a fishing superstore instead? Britain’s number one pass time.
Pass time - a report to the grammar Police is winging it’s to them for you young man
Pastime 🤦
Likewise from me, you completely missed out the word “way”
Oh fuck - got on the Rioja too early - yep - I take that on the chin - hey ho 😂
This makes me sad for what has been lost from football full stop.
I used to love it as a kid when i used to get all kinds of CAFC gear under the Christmas tree every year..... bespoke polo shirts, the good old calendars, duvet sets, car stickers, pin badges, hats and scarves....... used to like watching out for the private sellers around the ground to pick up a hat or scarf design I hadnt see before.
I liken it to the Grand Prix where the private stalls / original products have gone and its all just official merch.
Just a shame.
Bring back Sawyers Lodge. Used to enjoy going in there & picking up a copy of the previous weeks away game programme if my pocket money hadn't been enough to take me on the Lewis coach. Could also pick up programmes from years gone by, had a few from the 1950s sadly they've all gone now.
I've just spent the last 72 hours performing an online inventory review of European clubs' merchandise pages. Started with the 92, did Ireland, Scotland, northern and southern Europe and will publish my results tomorrow after finishing my audit of the Hungarian 3rd division.
Safe to say at this stage of my research we're, so far, the only club on the continent that you can't buy a scarf for on the club website.
Not slept since Monday, have lived off jaffa cakes and coffee and work have been calling all week so will deal with that shitstorm tomorrow, but I like to think it's been a good use of my time and will publish my findings over the weekend.
I've just spent the last 72 hours performing an online inventory review of European clubs' merchandise pages. Started with the 92, did Ireland, Scotland, northern and southern Europe and will publish my results tomorrow after finishing my audit of the Hungarian 3rd division.
Safe to say at this stage of my research we're, so far, the only club on the continent that you can't buy a scarf for on the club website.
Not slept since Monday, have lived off jaffa cakes and coffee and work have been calling all week so will deal with that shitstorm tomorrow, but I like to think it's been a good use of my time and will publish my findings over the weekend.
It was established 71 hours ago that MKDons have the same online shop style as us …
As someone who had 4 very young kids a few years back this (as in the old school style club shop) is where the brainwashing began . Scarf , hat , teddy bear , pencil , mug , water bottle any old toot with our badge on it . we’d go in after we’d lost cos it would be more empty or we’d pop there to get shirts during school holidays or very early on match days . mrs would go online to buy guff around Christmas etc we have numerous teddy bears and water bottles etc and we always look to renew as they get battered through wear and tear kids love it I like it cos I’m a big kid I get excited seeing our badge wherever and whatever it’s on to me it’s part of the soul of the club (clearly far too nostalgic ) and as it stands we’re an empty shell atm Charlton Athletic currently = zero personality (oh it doesn’t make money let’s get rid of it , oh it doesn’t matter if they cover the badge up for no reason they’re paying money , oh you can bend my mrs over and giver her one on the centre circle if you give the club some money , ok let’s get rid of the whole club cos it’s losing money )
this rant was brought to you courtesy of a Cadbury’s induced , sleep deprived , IBS session on the bog .
As someone who had 4 very young kids a few years back this (as in the old school style club shop) is where the brainwashing began . Scarf , hat , teddy bear , pencil , mug , water bottle any old toot with our badge on it . we’d go in after we’d lost cos it would be more empty or we’d pop there to get shirts during school holidays or very early on match days . mrs would go online to buy guff around Christmas etc we have numerous teddy bears and water bottles etc and we always look to renew as they get battered through wear and tear kids love it I like it cos I’m a big kid I get excited seeing our badge wherever and whatever it’s on to me it’s part of the soul of the club (clearly far too nostalgic ) and as it stands we’re an empty shell atm Charlton Athletic currently = zero personality (oh it doesn’t make money let’s get rid of it , oh it doesn’t matter if they cover the badge up for no reason they’re paying money , oh you can bend my mrs over and giver her one on the centre circle if you give the club some money , ok let’s get rid of the whole club cos it’s losing money )
this rant was brought to you courtesy of a Cadbury’s induced , sleep deprived , IBS session on the bog .
I always say I had the trots, you're far too posh.
I've just spent the last 72 hours performing an online inventory review of European clubs' merchandise pages. Started with the 92, did Ireland, Scotland, northern and southern Europe and will publish my results tomorrow after finishing my audit of the Hungarian 3rd division.
Safe to say at this stage of my research we're, so far, the only club on the continent that you can't buy a scarf for on the club website.
Not slept since Monday, have lived off jaffa cakes and coffee and work have been calling all week so will deal with that shitstorm tomorrow, but I like to think it's been a good use of my time and will publish my findings over the weekend.
Look forward to your findings Rodders, I sense a promote on the cards...for you not us of course....
As someone who had 4 very young kids a few years back this (as in the old school style club shop) is where the brainwashing began . Scarf , hat , teddy bear , pencil , mug , water bottle any old toot with our badge on it . we’d go in after we’d lost cos it would be more empty or we’d pop there to get shirts during school holidays or very early on match days . mrs would go online to buy guff around Christmas etc we have numerous teddy bears and water bottles etc and we always look to renew as they get battered through wear and tear kids love it I like it cos I’m a big kid I get excited seeing our badge wherever and whatever it’s on to me it’s part of the soul of the club (clearly far too nostalgic ) and as it stands we’re an empty shell atm Charlton Athletic currently = zero personality (oh it doesn’t make money let’s get rid of it , oh it doesn’t matter if they cover the badge up for no reason they’re paying money , oh you can bend my mrs over and giver her one on the centre circle if you give the club some money , ok let’s get rid of the whole club cos it’s losing money )
this rant was brought to you courtesy of a Cadbury’s induced , sleep deprived , IBS session on the bog .
I am "liking" the content of your post oohaah, not your internal rumblings... Hope you feel better this morning.
If enough people take the trouble to write to the club it might have some effect.
The club are well aware of the situation. It was discussed at length at the recent Fans Forum meeting. The shop is a franchise deal between Charlton and Castore. Part of the arrangement is for Castore to run the shop and it must be assumed that there is nothing in the agreement that stipulates they must sell Charlton memorabilia. So we are stuck with their expensive clothing and cannot even purchase a copy of our Handbook or a tea mug. Quite ridiculous.
Surely some kind of amendment to the contract could be made?
It doesn't take a genius to work out that stocking other items aside from kits and expensive clothing would lead to a bigger footfall and the shop would sell more as a result.
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason, certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
The message from the club always used to be "don't buy souvenirs from the unofficial stalls around The Valley, buy from the club shop where the profits are reinvested in the club etc"
A bizarre situation, where the stalls are now the only places to buy scarves and badges etc
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason, certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
Crossbars is half empty becaue the beer is shocking.
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason, certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
Crossbars is half empty becaue the beer is shocking.
I've just spent the last 72 hours performing an online inventory review of European clubs' merchandise pages. Started with the 92, did Ireland, Scotland, northern and southern Europe and will publish my results tomorrow after finishing my audit of the Hungarian 3rd division.
Safe to say at this stage of my research we're, so far, the only club on the continent that you can't buy a scarf for on the club website.
Not slept since Monday, have lived off jaffa cakes and coffee and work have been calling all week so will deal with that shitstorm tomorrow, but I like to think it's been a good use of my time and will publish my findings over the weekend.
Top work! Point of order though. Sporting Gijon from Spanish league 2 have no scarves available.
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason, certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
Crossbars is half empty becaue the beer is shocking.
So a new bar will be exactly the same no ?
My point was that the club should captilise on the lack of local pubs by laying on decent refreshments
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason, certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
Crossbars is half empty becaue the beer is shocking.
So a new bar will be exactly the same no ?
My point was that the club should captilise on the lack of local pubs by laying on decent refreshments
Well yeah that's a no brainer and I can't see why anyone would disagree
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason, certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
Crossbars is half empty becaue the beer is shocking.
So a new bar will be exactly the same no ?
My point was that the club should captilise on the lack of local pubs by laying on decent refreshments
AND to encourage fans to spend their pre & post matchday dosh on site.
Crossbars has been full to the brim ( unlike the large glasses of wine!) on occasions last season when positivity showed its head above the parapet ...fleetingly.
Maximising refreshment areas/bars for the "average" fan who likes to park up early & meet up with friends & family and has NO interest whatsover in the overpriced hospitality on offer in the various Lounges, is a no brainer.
Tables and accompanying chairs, space between for comfort, TV s showing the early ko & sufficient room for the kiddies' parties if not over expensive...why not be positive & plan ahead for the good times TS is promising ?
Build it & they will come ( once performances on the pitch & ticket prices are sorted ...)
Following from the above post... There is so much wasted potential in our fan bars and concourses. Most of the local pubs have shut and Greenwich is £7 a pint. It would be great if we could meet friends in the ground at 1:30 and have some drinkable beers, maybe giving the club another £15-18 each (minus their costs). At the moment arriving late, buying a beer in Sainsbury's and walking down at 2:45 is the least bad option.
With the lack of pubs near the ground you would have thought the club use that to captilise on.
a)I'd presume there's not many pubs in the area for a reason,b)certainly don't need another bar when there's crossbars half empty and massive.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
b)Maybe because it's souless with shite beer, shite service/shite staff & resembles a fucking airport departure lounge & with (the last time I went there years ago admittedly) plastic glasses.
a) There's not many Pubs in the area because they depend on daily custom. In the premier years they may have made enough on a home game to help see them through the week. Obviously those days have long gone........ sadly just like the pubs themselves.
I’m hoping the club shop has improved recently, i went in 4 weeks ago? and there was very little to buy in there, bought the reason that stuff was still on the high seas, and would / shouod be in by September, I know the clubs getting a bit of a kicking from a lots of fronts at the moment, feels like death by a thousand cuts.
Ive bought all sorts of ‘toot’ down the years from the club shop, seems weird they don’t want to take our cash?
Comments
Safe to say at this stage of my research we're, so far, the only club on the continent that you can't buy a scarf for on the club website.
Not slept since Monday, have lived off jaffa cakes and coffee and work have been calling all week so will deal with that shitstorm tomorrow, but I like to think it's been a good use of my time and will publish my findings over the weekend.
Scarf , hat , teddy bear , pencil , mug , water bottle any old toot with our badge on it .
we’d go in after we’d lost cos it would be more empty or we’d pop there to get shirts during school holidays or very early on match days .
mrs would go online to buy guff around Christmas etc
we have numerous teddy bears and water bottles etc and we always look to renew as they get battered through wear and tear
kids love it
I like it cos I’m a big kid
I get excited seeing our badge wherever and whatever it’s on
to me it’s part of the soul of the club (clearly far too nostalgic ) and as it stands we’re an empty shell atm
Charlton Athletic currently = zero personality (oh it doesn’t make money let’s get rid of it , oh it doesn’t matter if they cover the badge up for no reason they’re paying money , oh you can bend my mrs over and giver her one on the centre circle if you give the club some money , ok let’s get rid of the whole club cos it’s losing money )
this rant was brought to you courtesy of a Cadbury’s induced , sleep deprived , IBS session on the bog .
It doesn't take a genius to work out that stocking other items aside from kits and expensive clothing would lead to a bigger footfall and the shop would sell more as a result.
I get the using that building for another purpose idea, but we still need physical spaces for merch on match days. Could use a kiosk in each stands concourse like they do in the states.
Scarf/hat Sellers stationed around the ground on match days.
A bizarre situation, where the stalls are now the only places to buy scarves and badges etc
Point of order though.
Sporting Gijon from Spanish league 2 have no scarves available.
Re-stock arriving next week.
Crossbars has been full to the brim ( unlike the large glasses of wine!) on occasions last season when positivity showed its head above the parapet ...fleetingly.
Maximising refreshment areas/bars for the "average" fan who likes to park up early & meet up with friends & family and has NO interest whatsover in the overpriced hospitality on offer in the various Lounges, is a no brainer.
Tables and accompanying chairs, space between for comfort, TV s showing the early ko & sufficient room for the kiddies' parties if not over expensive...why not be positive & plan ahead for the good times TS is promising ?
Build it & they will come ( once performances on the pitch & ticket prices are sorted ...)
a) There's not many Pubs in the area because they depend on daily custom. In the premier years they may have made enough on a home game to help see them through the week. Obviously those days have long gone........ sadly just like the pubs themselves.
Ive bought all sorts of ‘toot’ down the years from the club shop, seems weird they don’t want to take our cash?