Fanatics is poised to expand its physical retail presence with a new store on London’s Regent Street.
- This venture marks Fanatics’ debut in standalone retail, expanding from its usual sports venue shops.
- Details regarding the opening date of the Regent Street store remain undisclosed.
- Fanatics has been operating in the UK market since acquiring Kitbag in 2016.
- The company maintains partnerships with leading sports organisations globally, including the FA, UEFA, and multiple football clubs.
Fanatics is gearing up to make its debut in standalone retail with a new store set to open on London’s Regent Street. Currently, Fanatics manages retail outlets within stadiums and sports venues on behalf of partnered clubs, marking this move as a significant step into direct retail operations. However, the precise date for the opening remains unspecified, according to reports from Retail Week.
Having first entered the UK in 2016 through its acquisition of Kitbag, Fanatics has significantly expanded its footprint in the region. The online sports merchandise retailer partners with over 900 major sporting organisations worldwide, enhancing its brand through collaborations with prominent football clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Inter Milan, as well as sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
In recent developments, Fanatics extended its partnership with the Football Association (FA) by securing rights to manage the official online England store. This deal includes operating physical shops during England’s home games, domestic cup finals, and concerts at Wembley Stadium. Fanatics revealed that merchandise sales during the European Championship, particularly the launch of England’s 2024 kit, broke previous sales records.
Fanatics’ strategic expansion into physical retail represents a significant evolution in its business operations within the UK’s sports merchandise sector.
