Magazines Archives - 2008 July

Let the Games begin - Beijing Olympics: Faster, higher, stronger merchandise opportunity for Asian retailers?
Story 1 - One Viewpoint

It is here! The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will open in Beijing early next month with the glitter, pomp and excitement befitting the greatest sporting event on earth. For 17 adrenaline-pumping days, athletes will be locked in gruelling competition, watched and cheered by billions of people globally. Host China has been pulling out all the stops for the Games to be the best ever. But, it will not be just the Games — it will be big business too. Sponsorship, licensing, broadcasting rights, ticket sales, among others, have soared into hundreds of millions of dollars. Past Games in Sydney
and Athens underscored this vividly, with merchandise sales forming a major component of the revenue stream. Another record is expected with the Beijing Olympics. What medal tally can the Chinese and other Asian retailers look forward to? By Steven HL Goh

Steven HL Goh is the executive chairman of RETAIL ASIA. He is also the CEO of The Business Company, a consulting firm advising multinational retailers on retail strategies and business development opportunities in the Asia-Pacific.

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