Sales blow for shirts celebrating Pope Benedict's visit

BBC News ^ | October 8, 2010 | Maurice Blisson

[Alex Murphy]

A plan to help fund the Papal visit to the UK by selling 20,000 football shirts has failed to hit its target, with only 520 of the £18 shirts sold.

Instead of £50,000 being given to the Catholic Church only £1,200 was raised.

Thousands of left-over shirts will now be rebranded and sold for Pope Benedict's forthcoming visit to Spain.

Paul Sullivan, from shirt suppliers Club and Country, said apathy and negative publicity over last month's UK visit hit sales badly.

Real Madrid

"The Pope won the public over towards the end of his visit but there was hostility and indifference in the early stages and that hit our sales," he told the BBC News website.

"We are in dialogue with Real Madrid to rebrand the shirts and hope to sell them in Spain for his visit there.

"Once again we will donate a percentage of the proceeds to the church, so hopefully they will not lose out in the end."

[Alex Murphy]

A plan to help fund the Papal visit to the UK by selling 20,000 football shirts has failed to hit its target, with only 520 of the £18 shirts sold. Instead of £50,000 being given to the Catholic Church only £1,200 was raised. Thousands of left-over shirts will now be rebranded and sold for Pope Benedict's forthcoming visit to Spain.

Related threads:
John Knox to be included in pageant during Pope's visit to Scotland
Pope snubbed by Scottish Catholics: Thousands turn down the chance to see the Pope in person
Pope visit merchandise includes 'metal' T-shirt and baseball cap [it's official merchandise!]
T-shirts and other merchandise on sale to mark Pope's visit to Britain [article mentions "Catholics With Attitude"]
No one does hideous tat quite like us Catholics [a predilection for souvenirs of questionable taste]
Does Catholic merchandising trivialise the faith? [lighthearted fun, or serious distraction?]
Firm Selling Papal Visit Hoodies Calls Police Over Anti-Catholic Abuse

[knarf]

Somehow it just don't seem right to treat the Catholic Pope like a sports star.

"Gitch'er OHfishul RDl (religious sports league) shirts righ heahhhh"

[anniegetyourgun]

http://bit.ly/9tlR4y

[Lazamataz]

Sales blow for shirts celebrating Pope Benedict's visit

Holy crap. They are sure slinging some slang.

[Genoa]

Can an applique be removed from a shirt?

[Genoa]

Holy tchotchke!

[equalitybeforethelaw]

The Pope plays soccer? Who knew? I did buy the Italian team’s Crusader jersey when the muzzies protested its use in a game with Turkey. Italians won BTW. I like to wear it just to see who notices its message.

[TSgt]

It happens...

The major sports leagues all produce official hats and shirts for the players and staff of each team in championship games—usually about 300 items per team. Manufacturers and retailers must produce enough product to meet fan demands. Based on the strong sales after the Chicago Bears’ 2007 NFC Championship win, Sports Authority printed more than 15,000 shirts proclaiming a Bears Super Bowl victory before the game even started. And then the Colts beat the Bears, 29-17.

[Legatus]

Actually... and I really can’t believe I’m typing this, I kind of want one. I don’t like the green trim on the gold side though.

[IrishCatholic]

Kinda desperate, aren’t you?
I liked the other anti-Catholic post about Catholics supporting same sex marriage better. That was a better example of bigotry. This is just a fashion thread.

[Alex Murphy]

Kinda desperate, aren’t you? I liked the other anti-Catholic post about Catholics supporting same sex marriage better. That was a better example of bigotry. This is just a fashion thread.

Taxi attacker claims he is persecuted for being Irish Catholic

[IrishCatholic]

Yea, that’s much more your speed.
Thanks, I thought you were mellowing or had found Jesus.

[Alex Murphy]

Yea, that’s much more your speed. Thanks, I thought you were mellowing or had found Jesus.

Did you forget where you left him, and need someone to search for you?

[IrishCatholic]

Nice try.
I've been following Him all my life in the Catholic Church and praying for the lost sheep who have left Him. I also pray for the wolves that would tear His Church down, while remembering they are wolves.