Quins Merchandising Forum - 28th April 19:30

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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2010:04:28:17:27:50 by The Prof.

What will next seasons away shirt look like and will it be available before the season starts? Will we have to put up with the same fiasco as this season?

Personally for the fans I would like to see the most up to date Quins strips made available in the more traditional cotton material.

The modern stips are probably great for playing in but I don't need high tech material to watch the Quins and it's not as comfortable as the cotton.

Why not come along and ask?

It looks like I'll be able to attend after all.

See you there.

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I think it is great that the club want to engage with the fans on the merchandise.

How about handing out a Questionnaire at the Sale game?

The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George

They've already done a questionnaire on the offy site.

It's better to be able to discuss things face co face. Do you fancy coming along on Wednesday?

Nice thought Prof, but I don't live locally regrettably and travelling time makes a midweek evening pretty much impossible....which is why I always bang on about 3pm Saturday kick-offs....

The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George

How about you Samquin?

Just to make sure people know this is Wednesday 28th, not Thursday 28th (which doesn't exist!)

Would love to put in my twopenneth but travelling down from Sheffield would be mighty difficult (and expensive !). It would be useful if Quinnsa reps were able to put forward as many points as possible from supporters unable to attend.

For my own part I have to say I find the recent stock in the shop fairly uninspiring. I will spend money in there but only if there is enough stuff of good enough style and quality. Sizing is always an issue too. I dop appreciate it's difficult with the Quins colour scheme though.

One thing I have noticed this season is a lack of replica training gear as worn by coaches and players. I realise some prefer fewer motifs etc but I've always fancied one of the pre-match Kooga training shirts with the St George flag on the back. Never seem them in the shop though.

Finally I'd like to know if we're having a new shirt next season and if so which one will be replaced. Presumably it would be the away shirt, despite it undergoing minor changes at the beginning of this season. I ask because I'd buy one now for my holidays if I knew I was going to get another full season out of it, but I'll feel ripped off if I pay full price and find we're having a new one come August/September/October.

Other than that, keep up good work. It's nigh on impossible to please all of the people all of the time but I see on match days the amount of money everyone seem prepared to spend on merchandise and it's quite staggering at times. So Quins must be doing something right !

P.S. Can I also mention that I think the necks on the current replica shirts are probably the worst I've known of all the many Quins shirts I've bought. Do the club have an input into the design of the shirts before they go into mass production ?

Quote:

The Prof
How about you Samquin?

I am hoping to be there. Where is the forum on Wednesday evening?

Quote:

The Prof
They've already done a questionnaire on the offy site.

Either I'm technically non-proficient or the Questionnaire has disappeared from the Offy? Did try, honest! Something I personally would like, following the same theme as the Quinssa Cycling Jersey, would be kit to play Golf in that is Harlequins branded, especially wet weather gear, Jackets, etc....

The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George

Samquin can you PM me with your name and e-mail address and how many will be coming and I'll pass the info on to the club.
The forum will be in one of the boxes at the Stoop

I can't come tomorrow, but did do the questionnaire. If anyone would be willing to pass on the following request I'd be most grateful:can they domore polo shirts with the quins logo, either coloured or just the silhouette, but no sponsors/writing/numbers on the back? i've got a few nice ones, some striped, others more plain, with no kooga/etihad, 66, etc on, and i'd definitely buy more of them. otherwise i generally think they do a pretty good job

I can't make it either, but one item missing for at least 3 years is the cashmere vee necked sweater for men with the coloured embroidered Quin logo, often worn with a Quins tie (either members or other).

A lot of people wear them around the club, but it has been impossible to buy replacements after they wear out. We spoke to the guy who runs the shop and he said that the management says there is no demand for them, seemed genuinely apologetic and gave the impression it was something that had come down from "on high". If it's a question of demand, I have 2 that need immediate replacement, and I suspect I am not alone.

A Retro shirt that looks like a retro shirt, without the raglan sleeves please.

I really wish I could be there tomorrow but it's my birthday so will be celebrating!! I filled in the questionaire with comments on ladies clothing & some ideas for pocket money things for kids eg postcard sized pics of individual players - they used to do they when I was a kid and I loved collecting them and getting them signed.
Hope it goes well.

A long sleeved, proper collar, non raglan sleeved, 100% cotton version of the current home shirt!

Oh yes, and that perennial request...

No, not the quartered fleece - the hoodie is close enough for that!

What about the DVD of the season's matches? Yes I know there are licensing issues, but honestly, how much money do the rights owners think they are going to make off keeping the rights to Harlequins vs Sale 2010?

Old fashioned enamel badges.

If anyone else is interested in going along tonight (you don't need to be a member, STH or Quinssa member) the details are:

The merchandising forum with Bill Ford-Smith will be in Box 34/35 in the LV= Stand, entrance is through the main reception in the LV= Stand (ie the West Stand).

It is on Wednesday (28th) at 7:30. Tea, coffee and nibbles will be provided.

Having been a director of a well known brand company I feel mechandising is a massive missed commercial opportunity for Quins. We should be building on our incredible brand in various markets. In my book this would include a coherent and consistent rugby range in conjunction with a leading sports brand (Kooga is not), licencing deals with high quality sports/casual wear and other sports merchandising like golf as mentioned above. We should be aiming to be the Man Utd of rugby. (Ever been to their superstore at Old Trafford?)

In addition we should be seeking marketing relationships and channel sales (ie. specialist store and online retailers, affiliate programmes, international distribution etc.) This needs an investment into professional brand management resources but this would payback many times. Unfortunately I can't make it tonight but with respect to all of us well meaning fans this is a senior management issue.

Quartered pants are the way forward. You mark my words.

Some improved Quins t shirts would be nice.

Very many thanks to all those who came this evening - most useful feedback. Very much appreciated.

BFS

oops only just seen this thread. I hope Bill Ford-Smith reads this and takes into account some of the opinions here.

I agree with Flagmeister that the Kooga replica training kit should be on sale including the navy blue polo shirts worn by the team. I have spoken to quite a few fans at the games who share my opinion.

i probably forgotten something but its too late now to think.

For me it's simple bigger sizes and better leisure wear!! Look at Tigers......great leisure wear!!

I haven't bought much merchandise in the last couple of years, and I'm not too bothered about the leisure wear - maybe because it's not appealing to me. The two things I would like to see though are the cotton retro in both short sleeved and long sleeved versions, sans raglan, and the replicas without those daft collars that don't stay open - in their natural position you may as well just do the top button up and look like a git!

Quote:

Bill Ford-Smith
Very many thanks to all those who came this evening - most useful feedback. Very much appreciated.
BFS

Bill,

Thanks for the lively discussion.

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Can anybody who went along fill us in on the jist of what was said?

Thanks!

Quote:

Quinten Poulsen
I haven't bought much merchandise in the last couple of years, and I'm not too bothered about the leisure wear - maybe because it's not appealing to me. The two things I would like to see though are the cotton retro in both short sleeved and long sleeved versions, sans raglan, and the replicas without those daft collars that don't stay open - in their natural position you may as well just do the top button up and look like a git!

Do you not like Jammy's sartorial elegance then? Where is he anyway?

The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George

I out statto-ed him so he left!

So he was first to leave, eh? That's an interesting statistic...

The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and upon this charge,
Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George

I'll try and write up my notes over the next day or so and circulate them to those who attended; if they agree with them, they're free to post them on here.

BFS

What you want are bespoke, handknitted dolls in quins colours, complete with full kit and badge. great quality and available by order. They really are good!

Quote:

Bill Ford-Smith
I'll try and write up my notes over the next day or so and circulate them to those who attended; if they agree with them, they're free to post them on here.

Great stuff, thanks Bill.