Never knew sports direct and house of Fraser sold County merchandise
https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/h ... e=37269403

UPTHEPORT wrote: December 10th, 2022, 2:54 pm Never knew sports direct and house of Fraser sold County merchandise
https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/h ... e=37269403

Sports Direct appear to have quite a lot of last season's hummel gear available (like that County jacket), but current Southampton shirts aside it's all been on there since the end of last season, when you could also buy other hummel kit from a few other online retailers at big discounts. What it says to me is that County are pretty prudent with their stock levels, more likely to sell out than have loads left over.

Also interesting to note that Oldham ended their Elite agreement on 22 Nov, and their club shop remained open throughout but with no access to Online orders, while Saints (store reopened 30 November), Northampton (reopened 2 December) and County (reopened 7 December) all (apparently) bought stock from the administrators and got shops back up and running quickly with the implication or outright statement they'd fulfil previous online orders, Coventry City only managed it today https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/decemb ... and-stock/

The article says Coventry had to deal with a more complex process to purchase the stock than other clubs, I'd be amazed if this wasn't somehow due to the involvement of Mike Ashley in the ownership of Coventry's stadium, and the conflict of interests if Ashley wanted Coventry stock for SportsDirect/Fraser Group stores. They appear to have come to an agreement about both in the past 24 hours or so.

FWIW Bristol City's hummel kit also seems to be provided independently of Elite as they've got no mention of their administration or any interruption to service on their site, and their fulfilment appears to be directly via Evri.

SJG99 wrote: December 13th, 2022, 11:03 pm

UPTHEPORT wrote: December 10th, 2022, 2:54 pm Never knew sports direct and house of Fraser sold County merchandise
https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/h ... e=37269403

Sports Direct appear to have quite a lot of last season's hummel gear available (like that County jacket), but current Southampton shirts aside it's all been on there since the end of last season, when you could also buy other hummel kit from a few other online retailers at big discounts. What it says to me is that County are pretty prudent with their stock levels, more likely to sell out than have loads left over.

Also interesting to note that Oldham ended their Elite agreement on 22 Nov, and their club shop remained open throughout but with no access to Online orders, while Saints (store reopened 30 November), Northampton (reopened 2 December) and County (reopened 7 December) all (apparently) bought stock from the administrators and got shops back up and running quickly with the implication or outright statement they'd fulfil previous online orders, Coventry City only managed it today https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/decemb ... and-stock/

The article says Coventry had to deal with a more complex process to purchase the stock than other clubs, I'd be amazed if this wasn't somehow due to the involvement of Mike Ashley in the ownership of Coventry's stadium, and the conflict of interests if Ashley wanted Coventry stock for SportsDirect/Fraser Group stores. They appear to have come to an agreement about both in the past 24 hours or so.

FWIW Bristol City's hummel kit also seems to be provided independently of Elite as they've got no mention of their administration or any interruption to service on their site, and their fulfilment appears to be directly via Evri.

Bloomin eck! the man is no saint but people do seem to line up to have a pop at Mike Ashley - his companies employ 1000's and offer yes cheap and cheerful goods to people and in some cases anchor smaller high streets which keeps them [the high streets] alive, to those slagging sport direct (which I'm not a huge fan of and fortunate enough to not need to shop there although have bought the odd item there) - think of the mum who needs football boots for their growing child, etc

CathedralCounty wrote: December 15th, 2022, 11:00 am

SJG99 wrote: December 13th, 2022, 11:03 pm

UPTHEPORT wrote: December 10th, 2022, 2:54 pm Never knew sports direct and house of Fraser sold County merchandise
https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/h ... e=37269403

Sports Direct appear to have quite a lot of last season's hummel gear available (like that County jacket), but current Southampton shirts aside it's all been on there since the end of last season, when you could also buy other hummel kit from a few other online retailers at big discounts. What it says to me is that County are pretty prudent with their stock levels, more likely to sell out than have loads left over.

Also interesting to note that Oldham ended their Elite agreement on 22 Nov, and their club shop remained open throughout but with no access to Online orders, while Saints (store reopened 30 November), Northampton (reopened 2 December) and County (reopened 7 December) all (apparently) bought stock from the administrators and got shops back up and running quickly with the implication or outright statement they'd fulfil previous online orders, Coventry City only managed it today https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/decemb ... and-stock/

The article says Coventry had to deal with a more complex process to purchase the stock than other clubs, I'd be amazed if this wasn't somehow due to the involvement of Mike Ashley in the ownership of Coventry's stadium, and the conflict of interests if Ashley wanted Coventry stock for SportsDirect/Fraser Group stores. They appear to have come to an agreement about both in the past 24 hours or so.

FWIW Bristol City's hummel kit also seems to be provided independently of Elite as they've got no mention of their administration or any interruption to service on their site, and their fulfilment appears to be directly via Evri.

Bloomin eck! the man is no saint but people do seem to line up to have a pop at Mike Ashley - his companies employ 1000's and offer yes cheap and cheerful goods to people and in some cases anchor smaller high streets which keeps them [the high streets] alive, to those slagging sport direct (which I'm not a huge fan of and fortunate enough to not need to shop there although have bought the odd item there) - think of the mum who needs football boots for their growing child, etc

Well said....always happy with my purchases

Do you have a TKmax in Newport?

mad norm wrote: December 15th, 2022, 11:05 am

CathedralCounty wrote: December 15th, 2022, 11:00 am

SJG99 wrote: December 13th, 2022, 11:03 pm

UPTHEPORT wrote: December 10th, 2022, 2:54 pm Never knew sports direct and house of Fraser sold County merchandise
https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/h ... e=37269403

Sports Direct appear to have quite a lot of last season's hummel gear available (like that County jacket), but current Southampton shirts aside it's all been on there since the end of last season, when you could also buy other hummel kit from a few other online retailers at big discounts. What it says to me is that County are pretty prudent with their stock levels, more likely to sell out than have loads left over.

Also interesting to note that Oldham ended their Elite agreement on 22 Nov, and their club shop remained open throughout but with no access to Online orders, while Saints (store reopened 30 November), Northampton (reopened 2 December) and County (reopened 7 December) all (apparently) bought stock from the administrators and got shops back up and running quickly with the implication or outright statement they'd fulfil previous online orders, Coventry City only managed it today https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/decemb ... and-stock/

The article says Coventry had to deal with a more complex process to purchase the stock than other clubs, I'd be amazed if this wasn't somehow due to the involvement of Mike Ashley in the ownership of Coventry's stadium, and the conflict of interests if Ashley wanted Coventry stock for SportsDirect/Fraser Group stores. They appear to have come to an agreement about both in the past 24 hours or so.

FWIW Bristol City's hummel kit also seems to be provided independently of Elite as they've got no mention of their administration or any interruption to service on their site, and their fulfilment appears to be directly via Evri.

Bloomin eck! the man is no saint but people do seem to line up to have a pop at Mike Ashley - his companies employ 1000's and offer yes cheap and cheerful goods to people and in some cases anchor smaller high streets which keeps them [the high streets] alive, to those slagging sport direct (which I'm not a huge fan of and fortunate enough to not need to shop there although have bought the odd item there) - think of the mum who needs football boots for their growing child, etc

Well said....always happy with my purchases

Do you have a TKmax in Newport?

Think so on the retail park off Mendalgief Rd - to clarify I'm no fan of Ashley but he isn't the Devil incarnate either, give me Ashley over the smug Richard Branson any-day!

[quote=CathedralCounty de=37269403
[/quote]

Bloomin eck! the man is no saint but people do seem to line up to have a pop at Mike Ashley - his companies employ 1000's and offer yes cheap and cheerful goods to people and in some cases anchor smaller high streets which keeps them [the high streets] alive, to those slagging sport direct (which I'm not a huge fan of and fortunate enough to not need to shop there although have bought the odd item there) - think of the mum who needs football boots for their growing child, etc
[/quote]

Before Sports Direct infested high streets, those Mums and everyone else had a real choice. JJB Sports, DW Sports, several independent sports shops in most cities, plus JD were actually competing as a sports shop, rather than the fashion shop it is now.

Sports Direct and its ancillary companies have bought up most of the low-end suppliers and now sell inferior stuff which devalues the brand through their stores. I can remember when Pierre Cardin clothes were actually really good quality and hard to find/afford. Same with Karrimor.

Try buying something slightly unusual in one of their stores e.g. a good quality referee/coach’s whistle or a snooker cue and you’ll be disappointed.

Their treatment of staff is reputed to be horrendous and don’t get me started on the main man himself.

Spirts Direct have manoeuvred themselves into being the only supplier on the high street and their shops are a blight on the high street in my view. Aside from thinking about the staff who would lose their jobs (note: jobs not careers) I certainly wouldn’t shed a tear if they went bust, as it would reopen fair competition.

DeePeeNCAFC wrote: December 15th, 2022, 8:53 pm [quote=CathedralCounty de=37269403

Bloomin eck! the man is no saint but people do seem to line up to have a pop at Mike Ashley - his companies employ 1000's and offer yes cheap and cheerful goods to people and in some cases anchor smaller high streets which keeps them [the high streets] alive, to those slagging sport direct (which I'm not a huge fan of and fortunate enough to not need to shop there although have bought the odd item there) - think of the mum who needs football boots for their growing child, etc
[/quote]

Before Sports Direct infested high streets, those Mums and everyone else had a real choice. JJB Sports, DW Sports, several independent sports shops in most cities, plus JD were actually competing as a sports shop, rather than the fashion shop it is now.

Sports Direct and its ancillary companies have bought up most of the low-end suppliers and now sell inferior stuff which devalues the brand through their stores. I can remember when Pierre Cardin clothes were actually really good quality and hard to find/afford. Same with Karrimor.

Try buying something slightly unusual in one of their stores e.g. a good quality referee/coach’s whistle or a snooker cue and you’ll be disappointed.

Their treatment of staff is reputed to be horrendous and don’t get me started on the main man himself.

Spirts Direct have manoeuvred themselves into being the only supplier on the high street and their shops are a blight on the high street in my view. Aside from thinking about the staff who would lose their jobs (note: jobs not careers) I certainly wouldn’t shed a tear if they went bust, as it would reopen fair competition.
[/quote]

Look I get your points but that’s capitalism folks and isn’t down to the evil Ashley and there are still decent independent sports shops around and good solid brands too (Macey Sports in Newport and 'Inter sports' buying co-operative stores and John Lewis sell sports goods too - there are specialist referees suppliers too although sadly A&H International has now ceased trading, as well as a number of good small chains of and independent running supply shops – PM me and I’ll provide a few links) - its the same arguments as with say Wetherspoons or any national chain isn’t it? The world has changed, and I lament that as much as you do.

I get those arguments of treatment of staff, and if that is true its wrong, but even a crap job is a job and doubtful even Ashley himself would describe working in a sports direct as a ‘career’ it’s a leg up for people in the smaller/poorer communities or those less qualified who can move up and out of sports direct.

*if they went bust it'd be a disaster for many high streets and the individuals who work there.

Have tried the shop website a few times now and it keeps saying it's an update!!!

Don't live in Newport and wanted to see what they have available..

JC wrote: December 16th, 2022, 1:29 pm Have tried the shop website a few times now and it keeps saying it's an update!!!

Don't live in Newport and wanted to see what they have available..

It’s only the shops at Kingsway & RP that have reopened, not online as yet.

What ever happened to Gilesports?
They had shops in Cwmbran and Newport.
You could actually buy all manner of sporting equipment in their shops, (Mind you replica tops weren't out back then).

Maceys is the best place for independent shop

UPTHEPORT wrote: December 16th, 2022, 2:27 pm Maceys is the best place for independent shop

To answer 2 in 1 - Giles' just went - presumably bust - it was an inter-sport store (inter-sports is a buying cooperative I believe as opposed to a franchise) had branches in a number of areas, I don't shop in Macey's but have heard its still a 'proper' sports shop - Club-sport looks a 'proper' shop - https://www.clubsport.co.uk/shoplocal/ross-store/ and Mel Morgan was a solid bet http://www.melmorgansports.co.uk/

Yes you will probably pay more but if you don't want to give your money to Ashley

True story.

About 50 years ago a young man enters Gilesports in Newport wanting to buy a pair of goalkeeper's gloves. The sales assistant wanting to get the most suitably priced gloves asks the customer how seriously he plays the game. The reply is "My name is Terry Lynch and I play in goal for Newport County."

Maybe the title of this topic should now be changed to Club shop open. We don't want to put off any potential customers.