Motorsports Authentics To Reduce Prices, Limit Inventory

MA Lowers T-Shirt And Hat Prices, Also Might Offer A More Limited Selection

Motorsports Authentics (MA) interim CEO and SMI VP/Business Affairs Don Hawk said that MA "will stress a philosophy of 'less is more valuable' this year and will reduce prices for select items," according to Bob Pockrass of NASCAR SCENE. Hawk: "We approached the teams and said, 'Look, this is the economic environment. We'd like to cut back when we get to Daytona.' Not one single team did not (do that). They all went along." MA has "lowered all standard T-shirt prices from $25 to $20," and Hawk said that hats "have dropped $3 to $5." Pockrass noted there also could be a "more limited selection to keep inventory at minimum." Hawk: "Less is more because when the demand becomes greater than the supply, this person will consume those goods quickly and will actually pay the same price or higher price. If you sell out, that's actually a good thing." Hawk said that the "number of merchandise haulers at Daytona has dropped from 29 to 23 for the company," and that the "total number of merchandise haulers from all souvenir companies is about 50, compared with 75 during the heyday of the economy." While critics speculate that MA should split into separate companies for its diecast and apparel businesses, Hawk said that he "wants to follow JR Motorsports' model of only working with select companies." Meanwhile, Hawk "hopes to have a replacement for himself at Motorsports Authentics soon" (SCENEDAILY.com, 2/11).