Chiefs' Gear Sales Just As Hot Nationally, Locally

Sales of Chiefs merchandise "appear to be way up nationally," as the team's 9-0 start "has sparked thousands of dollars in extra sales this season," according to Joyce Smith of the K.C. STAR. NFLShop.com "has seen sales of Chiefs items shoot up 125[%] from the same period last year, with about 90[%] of the purchases made outside of Missouri." NFLShop.com Dir of Database Marketing Perry Cooper said that the Chiefs "are still in the middle of the national pack," but noted Chiefs RB Priest Holmes' jersey "is in the top five jerseys sold on the site." Smith noted that in the K.C. area, top sellers at Champs Sports stores are "usually athletic shoes," but in the last few weeks "it has been sports apparel — specifically red or white jerseys." Nate Kiehne, Assistant Manager of an area Champs Sports: "Their winning record is definitely driving sales. Everybody in the world wants a Dante Hall jersey. Last year it was Priest Holmes." Kiehne added that Holmes' jersey "is still selling well." Dick's Sporting Goods "has seen sales of Chiefs items increase every week since the season started," while Galyan's has seen "double-digit percentage increases in Chiefs sales this year over" the '02 season. Though Galyan's HQs "directs the store on merchandising, the [local] management overrides those directives when it comes to the Chiefs." Kevin Stryczek, GM of a local Galyan's, said, "On the weekends we take down the hunting stuff in the front of the store and put up Chiefs" (K.C. STAR, 11/8).