Dating back to 1979, the Club's merchandising programme now incorporates some 23 licensed companies worldwide in 8 international markets. Many companies have export rights.
The Club's policy continues to be to seek well-known and respected international companies as merchandising partners. Each company is carefully selected to market those products under license that reflect the prestigious international reputation of The Championships. Successful business relationships have been developed with Christy (towels), Links of London (jewellery), Waterford (glass crystal) and Rodenstock (sunglasses) in this way.
Off-site sales formed some 70% of Wimbledon merchandising.
The top five best selling items in the Wimbledon Shop during the 2006 Championships were: 15,000 mini tennis ball key-rings, 11,000 Men's Championship towels, 8,500 Ladies' Championship towels, 8,000 twin wrist bands, 6,000 Slazenger mini balls.
The Wimbledon apparel range continues to represent the major percentage of retail sales on site offering garments in technical fabrics for activewear, classic pique and polo shirts, fleece and sweats for casualwear, a specially designed ladies' tenniswear range and souvenir T-shirts and caps. Wimbledon kidswear has been the fastest growing product sector in recent years.
Profits from sales of Wimbledon branded merchandise go to support British tennis.
The 2007 Wimbledon Collection.
In 2007, Wimbledon is introducing the Wimbledon Authentics range.
Authentics is targeted at the young at heart Wimbledon fan and features graphics using distressed logos, silhouettes and products have a vintage feel.
Theme is post- match cool - young, fresh and colourful and targets the fashion-conscious tennis fan.
Features apparel including vest tops, hipster shorts, board shorts and t-shirts as well as accessories including bags and keyrings.
Launching the Wimbledon ranges
The Wimbledon Collection comprises four different and distinctive ranges.
Classic Wimbledon - for the true Wimbledon fan: Products are timeless and traditional in the purple and green colours of Wimbledon and heavily focus on the famous symbol of the Crossed Rackets. Examples of Classic Wimbledon are the 2007 Men's Championship Towel, the Crossed Rackets t-shirt, the spectator umbrella and the 'friendship bracelet' by Links of London.
Performance - action for Centre Court: Products in this range use technical fabrics and include accessories for the tennis player of all abilities. Wimbledon by Prince rackets and bags, Slazenger tennis balls and tennis apparel in Coolplus® are all examples of products available in this range.
Lifestyle - summertime in SW19: Casual outfits ready for summer barbeques and/or strawberries and cream. These products focus on comfort whilst still remaining stylish. For the ladies of SW19, pink is the colour for the season with the Ladies' Championship Towel, Pink Beach Bag, and Pink Cap. SW19 girls should be wearing strawberries wristbands and strawberry socks. For the SW19 man there are polo shirts by Polo Ralph Lauren and Rodenstock sunglasses and 'Future Wimbledon Champion' t-shirts for SW19 boys.
Authentics - . Post match cool: Once you are off the court, keep young, fresh and colourful with Wimbledon Authentics. Range aimed at the fashion-conscious tennis fan with apparel including vest tops, hipster shorts, board shorts and t-shirts as well as accessories including bags and keyrings.
Wimbledon Collection is International
Wimbledon is a truly international brand found in department stores and airports around the UK,
Wimbledon shop in shops can be found in 14 locations in China including 2 in Shanghai and approximately 400 pro shops around the US.
Second annual Wimbledon Fair is planned for October in Tokyo. The Wimbledon brand is also available year-round at the online shop www.wimbledon.org/shop
Fashion Collections
Colour of fuscia pink is introduced into the Ladies Championships' towel, as used on court by the players, and this colour is also featured in a fashion collection of bags (Ettinger), a range of guest towels (Christy) and jewellery (Links of London).
Merchandising on site at the 2007 Championships: Wimbledon Shops
The Wimbledon Shop is located at the entrance to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and is open seven days a week on a year-round basis.
In addition to the two large shops in No.1 Court there are nine kiosk locations around the grounds.
AELTC
& the Local Community