Is an Armoury at Bangalore a nice initiative?

                          @ARMOURY inside the Emirates Stadium

The Armoury (and yes its not Armory) is Arsenal's (Arsenal Football Club) flagship retail shop. The list of items available are really a consolidated wish-list of almost all things any Arsenal fan would dream of. It is located inside The Emirates Stadium (well the Ashburton Grove Stadium to all gunners) and is a must visit for people visiting on a Match Day. The list of items includes replica kits, tees(men,women & kids), jackets, scarfs,training gears (Nike),souvenirs and other miscellaneous stuff.


Other than this we also have another shop called All Arsenal which is situated close to the North Bridge Building (in the Emirates Stadium). In addition to the retail products it also includes a supporter services centre where stadium tours, membership and other Club services can be booked. Also 2 more Arsenal Shops (official) are present around Palace Gardens Shopping Center (in North London.

Now for people who are not lucky enough to buy it in London there are Arsenal Stores present at Bangkok and Phuket(both in Thailand).Also the Nike store around the world sell Arsenal replica kits,tees and jackets (though in Bangalore they are not too prominent). There is also an Emirates outlet in Dubai selling Arsenal related merchandise(again primarily kits and tees). I have been lucky enough to purchase stuff from both the Arsenal Shop in Bangkok and  various Nike outlets selling Arsenal Merchandise.

                                             @Patong(Phuket)

Now its pains me to see so many Gunners in Bangalore (and India) not being able to purchase Arsenal Merchandise through the official channel.This made me wonder why not initiate a dialogue with Arsenal FC on opening an Arsenal Shop. There are many Arsenal Fans in Bangalore ( and other south Indian cities) and it will be a good launch pad for Arsenal to market their club in Indian Sub Continent. I am no economist but India has to be one of the fastest upcoming markets for Sports Ventures to expand their current franchise and Arsenal FC being a fantastic football club will appeal more to people.

It can be related to the recent franchise driven enterprise like Royal Challengers Bangalore (The IPL cricket team). Also there are no retails shops of other famous football clubs (Manchester United,Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, A.C.Milan, etc) in India, and if we start now we can use the early bird advantage to good effect to both consolidate (our club's finances) and increase our fan base. I don't know the actual metrics involved in setting up one and any prior requirement check list but whatever the effort involved, it definitely will be worth it.

I may be biased in hoping this Arsenal Shop (Armoury) to be set up at Bangalore, but I think its a good ploy start it at a non metro and moving it to one(Kolkotta,Mumbai,Delhi,Chennai) once it is a success. Anyone having any ideas on how to proceed and process can share it with me. I will definitely discuss with my folks at Arsenal India(its a FB group) and whether we can initiate a dialogue to get this thing moving, whatever the outcome the love Bangalore Gooners (and Indian Gooners) have for ARSENAL FC will not subside.

Details of the Arsenal Shops

1.  Arsenal Online Shop : Online Shopping
2. Arsenal Shops in London : Arsenal-Shopping 
3. Arsenal Shop in Bangkok : Arsenal Shop, 3rd Floor,Central World,Chidlom,Bangkok - 11030

 

Arsenal Shop at Central World in Bangkok