Fanatics hails record-breaking Black Friday
FANATICS International, the Manchester-based international division of licensed sports products retailer Fanatics Inc, has recorded a record-breaking Black Friday with overall figures rising by 50% year-on-year.
Fanatics operates the e-commerce and retail outlets for some of the biggest names in sports and the Black Friday sales figures in some areas of the business showed increases of over 200% when compared to 2015, the company has reported.
Fanatics International still operates Kitbag.com but was rebranded to Fanatics following its £11.5m sale to the $1bn turnover group by listed home shopping and education supplies company Findel back in February.
It dealt with record volumes at its distribution centre in Manchester over Black Friday, shipping products to over 150 countries around the world.
The most striking rise in consumer interest was reflected in Fanatics’ operation of the European e-commerce channel for the major US sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL and NHL, with sales across the sector rising more than 200%.
The thrilling climax to the F1 season in Abu Dhabi coincided with a huge rise in demand for merchandise from the official F1 site and many of Fanatics’ global football businesses had record sales days.
Based in Chadderton near Oldham, the company employs 500 people and is led by former Manchester United commercial director Andy Anson.
Anson said: “Fan-focused sports merchandise clearly plays a key part in the excitement of Black Friday, providing great products which allow fans to display their passion during the festive season.
“These figures are testimony to the work we’ve done with our partners to create focused shopping experiences and offer fantastic deals for the fans. We’re committed to offering a top-class shopping experience at all times of the year, but these results prove that when demand is at its peak, we can deliver on behalf of globally recognised brands and marques from our home in the North of England.”
