As the Spring Festival draws near, the demand for Olympic licensed products is on the increase.

 

During a recent webcam talk show on the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Chen Feng, vice-director of the Marketing Department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) responded to a number of questions on Olympic products.

 

Over 200 new products now available at affordable prices

 

At an order-placing occasion early last month, more than 200 new licensed products were unveiled. The products -- souvenir pins, cuddly toys, stationary, etc. -- sell for middle or low prices.

 

"We are determined to put into practice the concept of the 'People's Olympics' and to draw more people to the Olympics," Chen insisted.

 

More products will be unveiled on 500-day countdown

 

Chen said it has become a tradition for new Olympic licensed products to be put on the market when major pre-Games events take place. On March 27 this year, which marks the 500-day countdown to the Beijing Olympics, BOCOG will launch a series of themed products. "We hope that they will satisfy the demand of different consumers," he said.

 

More than 4,000 stores to sell Olympic products

 

Although BOCOG has opened over 600 Olympic products stores in major Chinese cities, the demand still exceeds the offer by a wide margin. BOCOG plans to extend its retail network and some 4,000 to 5,000 stores are expected to open by the end of 2007, according to Chen.

 

He said BOCOG is considering giving individuals the right to sell Olympic licensed products, but no definitive decision has been made so far.

 

On-line shopping may become true around June

 

Chen said BOCOG has not opened the on-line sale channel yet; any existing on-line sale activities are therefore illegal. He warned the consumers not to buy any Olympic products on line.

 

However, he disclosed, BOCOG is presently studying an on-line marketing plan which would involve internet retailers. On-line shopping of Olympic products may thus become possible around June 2007.

 

Prices will not go up as the Olympics draw near

 

Chen said the price of the Olympic products is set according to the purchasing power of domestic consumers. "We will not allow any price hikes that take advantage of the scarcity of Olympic products," he emphasized, promising that prices will not go up as the Olympics draw near.

 

He indicated that there will be a three-month stock clearance period, which may be extended to six months. "After the clearance period, the Olympic licensed products will no longer be available," he added.

 

(BOCOG February 7, 2007)