SEA Games: More outlets will stock merchandise

A range of SEA Games souvenirs is already in demand with shoppers

Since it opened in Orchard Road in November, the SEA Games merchandise store has proven a hit with the public.

Featuring over 100 items - from limited-edition collectible pins to gel bracelets and tote bags - Singaporeans and tourists have been snapping them up as mementos of the 28th Games, the first to be held here since 1993.

And with the biennial event less than four months away, there are plans to make more of such keepsakes available islandwide.

Said Singapore South-east Asian Games Organising Committee's (Singsoc) chief of community and corporate outreach Toh Boon Yi: "Sales from our merchandise store have been encouraging... and we have seen both Singaporeans and tourists buying SEA Games products."

Among the most popular items are the gel bracelets (11,500 pieces sold), followed by the mugs and water bottles which have seen sales of 8,000 pieces.

Added Toh: "We have also received bulk orders from organisations. We expect a significant increase in sales as we get closer to the Games.

"We hope more people will own a piece of the SEA Games memorabilia and support social good."

Official merchandising partner Sportz and Fitness Team declined to reveal its sales targets.

Besides the store outside Wisma Atria, merchandise can also be purchased at official website shop.seagames2015.com.

Closer to the June 5-16 Games, items will be made available through NTUC Fairprice (12 venues including Kallang Wave shopping mall), Cheers (20 outlets) and all Times bookstores.

Memorabilia will also be sold at selected competition venues during the competition period.

Housewife Serana Zhao, 40, bought three T-shirts for her children last month when she chanced upon the store while shopping in town.

She praised the move to have these items available in the heartland.

She said: "There's a big NTUC (outlet) at Jurong Point which is near us and will make it more convenient for housewives like myself to pick up some nice souvenirs for our family."

The trinkets are also popular as gifts for overseas visitors.

Student Amos Ngah, 17, has been receiving requests from his relatives in the Philippines to help them buy the Nila plush toys, at $29.90 each.

He said: "They're very excited about the SEA Games and were afraid that the stuffed mascots would be sold out by the time they come to Singapore in June."

Several beneficiaries, including Minds, SportCares Foundation and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, will receive a portion of the proceeds from sales of selected goods.

jonwong@sph.com.sg

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