As Rangers open a club store in Glasgow City Centre, it’s further evidence that the club is moving in the right direction off the pitch.
The Hummel/Elite store opened in Glasgow’s St. Enoch Square to an incredible amount of fanfare as supporters rushed to spend their hard-earned cash on Rangers merchandise.
But after that deal fell by the wayside – and amid the Covid-19 pandemic – expect the launch of the Buchanan Galleries store to be a little more subdued. Only a little.
Rangers’ £25m kit deal with Liverpudlian retailer Castore has been a success in terms of sales but has not been without its own quality control and customer service issues.
Given Castore’s immaturity in this market there were always going to be issues and a top-heavy marketing campaign may have paid off in shirt sales, but it backfired in public relations.
Co-founders Tom and Phil Beahon have since largely taken a backseat as the ship steadies following a rocky launch but there isn’t a Rangers fan out there who doubts we’re at least back on course even if we haven’t reached the destination.
For years supporters couldn’t buy themselves or their kids kits as we watched on in agony with Celtic romping to title after title and the old regime tore the club apart.
Now on the pitch we’ve got a substantial squad capable of going the distance as Celtic creak at their final hurdle, whilst off it supporters have embraced this New Era of retail at Ibrox.
The £250k renovation of The Rangers Store at Ibrox Stadium was another rip-roaring success – of which there have been a few with Castore – but this new unit in Glasgow City Centre is another step.
The Castore deal was always going to be a risk with a retailer so inexperienced in this area but for a club which has been a basket case for so long in the retail department, so were we.
Rangers are Scotland’s Premier Club and we’re closer than ever to retaking our crown atop the Scottish game on the pitch.
Whilst a physical space in the centre of the City we call home may not seem like that big a deal, it’s another small step to reclaiming our throne off it.
