Rapid Retail scores another impressive Manchester United deal

Rapid Retail, the Cheltenham-based supplier of portable shop units and kiosks, is continuing its success at Manchester United with the installation of its latest bespoke unit. The imposing structure, designed to host both a shirt printing kiosk and a merchandising shop, measures an impressive 12.5m x 3.7m, making it the largest kiosk delivered by the firm so far. 

The unit will help meet the high demand from thousands of fans eager to take away a personalised souvenir of their visit, thus easing pressure on the club’s busy megastore.

Old Trafford is one of the largest and busiest football stadiums in the UK, with seating for over 76,000. It is one of only two stadiums in England to be given a UEFA 5-star rating and will play host to the Olympic football matches in 2012.

From evidence and experience gained at Old Trafford, where the firm supplied three fully fitted walk-in merchandising shops last year, and other sporting venues, Rapid Retail's units help clubs by increasing retail footfall and maximising impulse purchase opportunities. The units provide clubs with an affordable way to access flexible and adaptable retail floor space.

It has also been proven that, no matter the size of club, nor the sport itself, around 40% of match-day attendances arrive within 30 mins of kick-off, so it’s critical to service their needs quickly and efficiently, otherwise sales could be lost. 

Jayne Davies, Head of Retail at Manchester United Licensing Limited, confirms: "Rapid Retail's units have provided us with an express service, perfect for those fans who arrive just before kick-off and know exactly what they want to buy. They can purchase a shirt and get them printed with a name and number in a very short space of time. Their units have enabled us to take the shirt printing service out of our megastore, thus freeing up space for extra tills."

Nick Daffern, Rapid Retail's managing director, said: "It's great to see more and more sporting clubs capitalising on the advantages of using portable retail space. It is a flexible and low-cost way to drive up revenues through maximising opportunities to buy and also improves the overall experience for spectators.

"I really believe that when you visit a prestigious venue or sporting event like Old Trafford, you expect the complete experience. If you want to buy a drink or a programme, a souvenir or merchandise, you should be able to do so quickly and efficiently."

Rapid Retail is experiencing a tremendous period of growth and this deal is the latest in a line of high-profile contract wins within the football world. The company, in business for just over three years, has recently supplied merchandising shops for INTERSPORT at the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco, the European U21 Championship in Sweden and last year at EURO 2008. Its programme kiosks and shops are also a prominent feature at many other Premiership clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Aston Villa.