CWC merchandise goes on sale locally amidst fears that fake imports could hurt legitimate sales

With the start of Cricket World Cup 2007 now a matter of days away stores in Georgetown are reporting brisk sales of official CWC souvenirs. However, some business houses are of the view that the sale of fake souvenirs could seriously hurt their marketing efforts.

Earlier this week Stabroek Business spoke with Devika Phillips, a supervisor in the garments department at Fogarty’s who said that items of clothing were “selling well.” According to Ms. Phillips there appears to be a great deal of enthusiasm among shoppers for some items, particularly T-shirts, polo shirts, caps and hats. Ms. Phillips told Stabroek Business that Fogarty’s had taken a decision not to apply a high markup on CWC goods since she said that these would be in demand for a relatively short time and that the focus was on “moving” the items quickly.

Fogarty’s Craft Department supervisor Merlyn Norton told Stabroek Business that while she would have liked the souvenir craft items to “move” faster she was aware that sales are likely to ‘step up” once visitors begin to arrive in Guyana for the Cricket World Cup. Ms Norton told Stabroek Business that apart from official CWC souvenirs Fogarty’s was also seeking high quality local craft items since she felt that these would also be in demand during the World Cup period.

Manager of the Woodpecker Trophy Store Luana Fernandes told Stabroek Business that the clothing, key rings and other CWC items on sale at the store were moving gradually and that she anticipated the customary “last minute” increase in demand for the products. Ms. Fernandes told Stabroek Business, however, that she was concerned that the sale of fake items at cheaper prices could hurt sales of official souvenirs. She explained that some fake items were being offered on the streets at lower prices than official items and that the indications were that consumers were taking advantage of the lower prices.

Meanwhile, Stabroek Business understands that official CWC souvenirs are yet to go on sale at other department stores in the city. A Guyana Stores source told this newspaper that arrangements to obtain CWC items for sale were “in train.”

Last week, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes, the co-proprietor of the Calabash Gift Shoppe, the official licensee for CWC products told Stabroek Business that an injunction had been secured restraining the importers of the fake merchandise from distributing the products locally. However, earlier this week, Stabroek Business observed at least four vendors offering clothing adorned with CWC logos for sale.

Meanwhile, Stabroek Business has been unable to secure an official comment from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) regarding such action as may be taken against distributors and retailers of fake CWC items. A police source told Stabroek Business, however, that the Guyana Police Force was prepared to act within the law to prevent infringements of the Sunset Legislation approved in the National Assembly which set out, among other things, guidelines for the marketing of CWC merchandise and penalties for infringing licensing regulations.