OLYMPIC VENDORS GEAR UP FOR STRETCH RUN

     The basic objective for Olympic vendors is to forecast the
amount of product that will be sold, without going over,
according to SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS.  If predictions are off,
vendors will either be stuck with obsolete merchandise, or they
won't be able to find merchandise during the Games.  In order to
widen their margin for error, Sara Lee and Starter will both set
up quick response warehouse and distribution facilities in
Atlanta during the Games.  The "disappointment" of months leading
up to the Games have left licensees, retailers and licensors
"pointing fingers."  Some retailers told SGB they expected a
consumer ad campaign from suppliers or licensing bodies, but with
each party "deferring that responsibility," the industry was left
trying to move nearly $1B worth of product with "limited customer
awareness" (Andy Bernstein, SGB, 6/96 issue).