infofan Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Has anyone else noticed giant Eagle has begun prominently advertising on the front page of their weekly circular they are "Proud sponsors of the Akron Zips". I appreciate the ads and the financial support Giant Eagle gives UA! However, it's frustrating that those same giant eagle stores stock HUGE amounts of Osu, browns, Indians, and steelers stuff but can't stock a single zip hat , t-shirt, or anything UA. I don't deny them selling those other tea's products but a "proud sponsor" could have a token display or more couldn't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Has anyone else noticed giant Eagle has begun prominently advertising on the front page of their weekly circular they are "Proud sponsors of the Akron Zips". I appreciate the ads and the financial support Giant Eagle gives UA! However, it's frustrating that those same giant eagle stores stock HUGE amounts of Osu, browns, Indians, and steelers stuff but can't stock a single zip hat , t-shirt, or anything UA. I don't deny them selling those other tea's products but a "proud sponsor" could have a token display or more couldn't they?No one from UA has probably ever approached them to sell Zips products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yazan07 Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 As soon as you walk into the Giant Eagle on Howe Ave. there is a display of Zips stuff. Nothing huge, but it's there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Twinsburg Big Bird has a big display of Columbus garbage. No Zips.I never noticed this before, not that I really pay attention. You know those stupid hotdogs that race around at the Indians game? They announced (last night) that one hotdog was sponsored by UA, one by KSpU, and the other by Case (I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm not surprised. What sickens me is that I have been to so many other cities with major colleges across the country. It seems like every one of them is PACKED with merchandise for their team. All of the store fronts are painted with the school colors and "Go __________ " signs in the windows. And these are in places where the state has other major programs, just like Ohio.It doesn't happen here. I don't get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 The Hartville Giant Eagle has a plethora of O$U, Browns, Indians & Cavs garbage. No Akron Zips merch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm not surprised. What sickens me is that I have been to so many other cities with major colleges across the country. It seems like every one of them is PACKED with merchandise for their team. All of the store fronts are painted with the school colors and "Go __________ " signs in the windows. And these are in places where the state has other major programs, just like Ohio.It doesn't happen here. I don't get it.My mom (YSU grad) gets her YSU gear at Kohls in Youngstown. Is there Zips gear sold at any Kohls in the Akron area? I have never seen any @ the Macedonia or Stow locations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
you am i Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 These are businesses. They stock what they know sells. If you were in charge, you'd have to make the same business decisions. If you used your heart to decide what to put on the shelves, you would not last long. No sense getting mad at them.Face it, Akron gear is not exactly going to be flying off the shelf right now. If the football team was winning, it would probably be a different story. This is one of the ripple effects of all of the embarrassing losses on the football field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 These are businesses. They stock what they know sells. If you were in charge, you'd have to make the same business decisions. If you used your heart to decide what to put on the shelves, you would not last long. No sense getting mad at them.Face it, Akron gear is not exactly going to be flying off the shelf right now. If the football team was winning, it would probably be a different story. This is one of the ripple effects of all of the embarrassing losses on the football field.All of these cities I am referring to don't necessarily have winning programs either.It's a matter of local school pride and support. Unfortunately, too many people see the school two hours away as their "local" team. Trust me, I've been to many cities with D-1 colleges, and I see their merchandise and signs everywhere. And they aren't the merchandise and signs of the "main team" in that state. Akron could do the same, and for whatever reason, they don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Since I was too young to remember or to even take notice, I don't know what it was like around here when I was a kid. But for literally as long as I can remember the Akron area has had no self-respect. It's all either Cleveland or Columbus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm not surprised. What sickens me is that I have been to so many other cities with major colleges across the country. It seems like every one of them is PACKED with merchandise for their team. All of the store fronts are painted with the school colors and "Go __________ " signs in the windows. And these are in places where the state has other major programs, just like Ohio.It doesn't happen here. I don't get it.My mom (YSU grad) gets her YSU gear at Kohls in Youngstown. Is there Zips gear sold at any Kohls in the Akron area? I have never seen any @ the Macedonia or Stow locations.The one on Arlington Road in Springfield (and the Walmart right next to it) is usually good for a couple racks of Zips gear. It's usually pretty nice stuff and not all the same styles that you find in the team shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 The merchandise is licensed by the university -- however, how much of a role does the UA take in producing what appears on shelves -- whether in the store, at the UA Bookstore, or the various Zips Shops on campus? There must be some communication between the manufacturer, marketers and the UA Athletic Dept. So, that said, if the football team sucks, but the soccer team is NATIONAL CHAMPS... why can't they adjust their merchandising/marketing to sell an alternate product? Do any off-campus stores sell UA soccer gear (e.g., National Champs shirts, jerseys...)? There are tens of thousands of kids and thousands of adults playing soccer in NEO -- capture that niche at least! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottditzen Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 With UA opening the branch near my house in Lakewood, I'm seriously looking forward to getting some ZIPS gear stocked. The Kohls off Arlington is the only other place where my friends have scored some good shirts/sweatshirts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 The merchandise is licensed by the university -- however, how much of a role does the UA take in producing what appears on shelves -- whether in the store, at the UA Bookstore, or the various Zips Shops on campus? There must be some communication between the manufacturer, marketers and the UA Athletic Dept. So, that said, if the football team sucks, but the soccer team is NATIONAL CHAMPS... why can't they adjust their merchandising/marketing to sell an alternate product? Do any off-campus stores sell UA soccer gear (e.g., National Champs shirts, jerseys...)? There are tens of thousands of kids and thousands of adults playing soccer in NEO -- capture that niche at least! Forget about soccer for a moment. Soccer merchandise doesn't sell, which is why you don't see much of it. But....just the idea of having ANY type of shirt that says AKRON and NATIONAL CHAMPIONS should be enough to move more Akron merchandise in this town. I'm shocked that this opportunity hasn't been exploited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipgrad01 Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm not surprised. What sickens me is that I have been to so many other cities with major colleges across the country. It seems like every one of them is PACKED with merchandise for their team. All of the store fronts are painted with the school colors and "Go __________ " signs in the windows. And these are in places where the state has other major programs, just like Ohio.It doesn't happen here. I don't get it.My mom (YSU grad) gets her YSU gear at Kohls in Youngstown. Is there Zips gear sold at any Kohls in the Akron area? I have never seen any @ the Macedonia or Stow locations.The Kohls in New Philadelphia usually has an ok selection of Akron gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 The merchandise is licensed by the university -- however, how much of a role does the UA take in producing what appears on shelves -- whether in the store, at the UA Bookstore, or the various Zips Shops on campus? There must be some communication between the manufacturer, marketers and the UA Athletic Dept. So, that said, if the football team sucks, but the soccer team is NATIONAL CHAMPS... why can't they adjust their merchandising/marketing to sell an alternate product? Do any off-campus stores sell UA soccer gear (e.g., National Champs shirts, jerseys...)? There are tens of thousands of kids and thousands of adults playing soccer in NEO -- capture that niche at least! Forget about soccer for a moment. Soccer merchandise doesn't sell, which is why you don't see much of it. But....just the idea of having ANY type of shirt that says AKRON and NATIONAL CHAMPIONS should be enough to move more Akron merchandise in this town. I'm shocked that this opportunity hasn't been exploited.Forget about Soccer? Are you the same guy who said I should pull for OSWho? I will go along with your statement that "Soccer merchandise doesn't sell, which is why you don't see much of it." If YOU look up the definition of the word, tautology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyake Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 ACME is an Akron company and doesn't even carry Zips merchandise. Why would be be surprised Giant Eagle doesn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infofan Posted September 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 ACME is an Akron company and doesn't even carry Zips merchandise. Why would be be surprised Giant Eagle doesn't?Acme is a sponsor of Can't state. Giant eagle claims to be a proud Akron supporter. That's why I would expect some merchandise to be carried at G E . And breaking off our long time marketing affiliation with acme was a major mistake. So was aligning UA with the Cleveland airport instead of Akron canton ( which is now a major sponsor of Can't). Yes marketing is business but supporting local companies seems preferrable to out of town companies when possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndzeigler Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 I was at Giant Eagle on Howe Ave tonight, they have some Zips T-shirts and hats right as you walk in the door. It's nothing impressive, but it's something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Zips merchandise buy of the week. I went to Akron General to visit a friend in the hospital. I stopped in at the gift shop in the lobby. 'Fear The Roo' stitched 3' x 5' flag marked 75% off ($7.99). There were two left after I bought two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Maybe GE will sponsor the resurrection of the old 'Acme Zip' game. I was told by a suit in the AD that they are looking at trying to stage something like that again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Maybe GE will sponsor the resurrection of the old 'Acme Zip' game. I was told by a suit in the AD that they are looking at trying to stage something like that again. They should have done everything possible to ensure that it never went away to begin with. I don't care if it didn't make money for the U. It was at least one time a year that you could guarantee a festive atmosphere for an Akron football game. I looked forward to it, regardless of how the team was doing. We don't have games like that anymore. We desperately need something to fuel some excitement again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 It was at least one time a year that you could guarantee a festive atmosphere for an Akron football game.I remember (not to long ago) a previous administration trying to make all the home games festive. They used to have live area bands, giveaways, marching band playing in the lot, cheerleaders, kids events, a visible (mascot) zippy, that big chocolate blow up zippy, beer tents, etc.. I thought they did a pretty good job. Do they have any of that anymore? I don't wander from Lot 9, but other than the same people trying to sell me some useless towel/rag, not much university sponsored stuff goes on. Personally I don't need all of that stuff, but I know most enjoy that kind of atmosphere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Maybe GE will sponsor the resurrection of the old 'Acme Zip' game. I was told by a suit in the AD that they are looking at trying to stage something like that again. No big rush on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 We desperately need something to fuel some excitement again. Call me crazy, but I think winning might do that. If there were no blow up things, kids play thing, beer tents, the band playing, etc., nobody would care if the the team was winning. It's more festive standing around a parking lot talking about who a team will play in a bowl or a conference championship game than watching the band play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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