Rangers’ relationship with retailers Castore has been lauded by a leading football finance expert who believes the two are a good match.
Rangers signed a long-term deal with Castore in the summer – reported to be worth an initial £25m [Scotsman] – as the retailer looks to shake up a stagnant football market dominated by a few brands.
Price of Football’s Kieran Maguire has given a brilliant interview with popular Rangers fan media This Is Ibrox and was asked about the club’s relationship with Castore whilst discussing our accounts.
The financial benefits of the Castore kit deal won’t be fully known until next year’s accounts but Maguire is confident that this is a good move for Rangers.
“The Castore deal is an opportunity for a clean break,” said Maguire.
“I know that there have been quality control issues which Rangers have raised which by now have been addressed.
“Fans will now be proud to wear the shirt because it’s no longer tainted by Mike Ashley.
“The fact that it’s a disruptor brand I think will help Rangers as well, because they want to be a disruptor club.
“They want to be slightly different, not using the Adidas, Nike, Puma olig-opoly that we have, so that could work in their favour.
“I suspect that they will be Castore’s leading retail product which means that they are in a strong place when it comes to negotiation.
“If you’re dealing with bigger players they’re very good in that they have very good logistics, very good distribution networks.
“But we all know the bigger clubs are their main concerns, and if you are their 14th biggest seller, you’ll get the 14th best service.
“With Castore, it’s completely different, it’s essential for Castore’s success that Rangers products are quality, well designed.
“I think there are opportunities for growth in that particular area for the club.”
The comments will be refreshing to Rangers fans who’ve largely experienced an up-and-down introduction to the Liverpool-based retailer.
The club’s three kits this season have gone down a storm with fans loving the design but there have been issues with other products which haven’t exactly been club-centric.
Castore themselves have ambitions to make a big impact across football and spoke recently about new Premier League deals which could be in the pipeline.
