Liverpool Football Club has announced it will launch its first official standalone store in Africa in South Africa, LFC Retail said this week. This means that fans will soon be able to get authentic Liverpool FC merchandise locally.
Local fans – estimated at 12.5 million – welcomed the move: “”Can’t wait to get authentic LFC gear” wrote @Princedon5763 on LFC Retail’s instagram account. Another wrote, “Hugeeeeeee!!!!”. There were pleas for the stores to not only to be opened in Joburg but also Cape Town. As yet LFC has not said where the stores will be located.
The Club said it has entered into a new long-term retail partnership with Old School, one of South Africa’s leading supporter and leisurewear brands, as it launches on the continent.
As part of the five-year agreement, Old School will deliver the official LFC Retail experience through online and offline channels, launching e-commerce and multiple shop-in-shops across South Africa in the first year, Liverpool FC said on its website.
Plans are also in place to open multiple official standalone LFC Retail stores in the country, bringing the club even closer to its passionate local fan base, says the LFC website.
With 12.5 million LFC supporters in South Africa – more than any other Premier League club – alongside 8.9 million social followers and 37 million cumulative TV viewers last season, the partnership “marks a significant step in establishing a new physical retail footprint for the club to meet growing fan demand across the region”.
This new partnership follows a record-breaking year for LFC Retail globally, which has seen unprecedented demand for kit and merchandise, and the launch of new stores across a number of major international markets, according to LFC Retail..
LFC has opened 22 standalone stores worldwide, more than any other team in world sport – including top European football clubs and major US franchises. the LFC website reports.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Old School to the LFC Retail family. Old School’s expertise in supporter merchandise and their understanding of South African sporting culture make them the right partner to bring LFC standalone stores and shop-in-shop locations to Africa for the first time,” said Lee Dwerryhouse, senior vice-president of merchandising at LFC, in an LFC statement.
“Following a record-breaking season for our retail team, this partnership is an important step in our continued growth, helping us connect with more fans worldwide and deliver the best possible experience. We’re excited to build on that momentum as we look ahead to another strong year for LFC Retail.”
Daneel Steinmann, founder and CEO at Old School, added that the partnership with Liverpool FC “marks an important milestone for Old School. The club’s heritage, identity and strong connection with supporters reflect many of the principles that have shaped our business from the very beginning”.
“We’ve always believed that fans deserve merchandise that carries meaning as well as quality and bringing the official LFC Retail experience to South Africa is a responsibility we’re proud to take on. Our focus is on respecting the club’s legacy while delivering a world-class retail experience for the millions of Liverpool FC supporters across the region.”
Launched in 2019 by two brothers from their university dorm room, Old School has quickly become a leading retail brand, providing high-quality custom merchandise, leisurewear and retro kits for football and rugby fans.
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