With the Toronto Blue Jays making an unexpected run in the playoffs, Bobby Mahomed’s sportswear shop in Ottawa, just over 450 kilometers away, is experiencing a surge in sales related to the team. At Game On! in the St Laurent Shopping Centre, merchandise like caps, jerseys, and T-shirts bearing the Blue Jays logo are flying off the shelves, with popular items selling out quickly.
Mahomed noted that this year has been exceptional for Jays merchandise sales due to the team’s impressive performance, with numbers possibly increasing by over 300% compared to previous years. The enthusiasm isn’t limited to Ottawa, as retailers nationwide are seeing a spike in demand for Blue Jays merchandise.
The Jays Shop at the Rogers Centre in Toronto has drawn long lines of fans eager to grab World Series-themed items, while online sales through platforms like Shopify have skyrocketed. According to Shopify, sales of Jays jerseys have surged by over 283% within a month, showing the widespread appeal of the team’s merchandise.
The “Blue Jays effect” is not just limited to merchandise sales, as sports bars and restaurants near the Rogers Centre have also benefited from increased foot traffic during Jays games. Moneris reported a significant rise in transaction volumes and sizes at dining establishments around the stadium during playoff games, indicating a boost in business for these establishments.
The unexpected success of the Blue Jays in the playoffs has provided a welcome economic boost for businesses across Canada, offering a silver lining after the challenges posed by the pandemic and inflation. The team’s performance is not only thrilling fans but also proving to be a boon for the local economy.