Valparaiso Univ., heading to this weekend's NCAA men's
Sweet 16, "has locals going bananas," according to George
Lazarus of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. On Monday, the school's
Book Center had "sold or received orders for more than
$21,000 in merchandise, ranging from T-shirts to car flags.
That is ten times as much as the store does on a "normal
day." Elegan Sportswear, Inc., a Valparaiso wholesaler of
embroidered merchandise and screen printing, "expects to
sell an additional 2,000 T-shirts beyond those that were
shipped to retailers Monday" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/18).
HUSKY FEVER: The Univ. of WA's NCAA Tournament run "has
spurred brisk sales of UW hoops paraphernalia." Shawna
Gibson, Manager of the DawgHouse, a University District
sporting goods store, said that sales "picked up" following
the Huskies' first win, but after the second win, "people
have been asking about Sweet 16 T's" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/17).
NEW PROMO: For the first time ever, a retail promotion
geared to drive sales of NCAA Women's Final Four merchandise
has been launched. Ocean Spray is the presenter of the
promo, and Goody's Family Clothing is the host retailer at
45 of its TN store locations. Each store will display
Women's Final Four merchandise throughout March. Shoppers
at the participating stores can enter a contest, with the
Grand Prize winner receiving an all-expense paid trip for
two to the Women's Final Four in Kansas City (NCAA).
