There isn’t a Rangers fan out there who doubts the commercial power of the club’s retail arm.
But it appears everyone else – even kit developers Castore despite the repeated warnings – would have still raised an eyebrow up until last week.
The Ibrox side’s support, starved of purchasing kits and merchandise for what feels like a generation, have responded to the club’s call and have already bought over 100,000 replica tops.
Days after the club’s newly renovated store was officially opened, there are still queues around the block as fans look to spend their hard-earned bucks with the full backing of the club.
It’s a landmark moment in the modern history of Rangers
For years, Rangers fans who traditionally over-indulged in club merchandise have had to sit back and resist the urge amid retail disaster after retail disaster.
Castore’s early success has not been without its own hiccups, but the flurry of interest from the Ibrox support makes you wonder why Mike Ashley didn’t just focus on making his deal a success.
The Sports Direct billionaire wanted a firm grip on the Ibrox club’s retail for a reason, but it always felt like he had to benefit his business more than anyone else, like the club were to be at his behest.
The reaction of the fans doesn’t just show you the commercial power of Rangers’ retail operations but also highlights just how big a blow the previous deals were to the club’s redevelopment.
Whilst there have been complaints about damaged kits and issues with pre-orders, one accusation which cannot be levelled at Castore is that they aren’t determined to make this work.
Co-founders Phil and Tom Beahon have been very public, Rangers are their first football club, this is a monumental venture for both parties and both are still working each other out.
Castore’s inexperience in this area is (sometimes) showing but given the years of retail failure and legacy issues, fans must be urged to be optimistic.
There was always going to be some teething problems and at present – whilst they are not quite at breaking point – lessons must be learned.
Issues with customer service on ground level persist and for fans, this remains the biggest source of frustration and must be better going forward.
As of the summer, we were assured that all existing contracts have ended and this £25m Castore deal is #ANewEra.
It is one which the Ibrox legions have responded to and embraced like every fan always knew they would.
Rangers fans have done their bit in responding to the partnership – it’s time for Rangers and Castore to get it right for those fans parting with their hard-earned cash.
The partnership can’t just work for Rangers and Castore, it needs to work for the supporters too.
