Olympics flagship store opens at Vancouver

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The 1,300sq ft (121sq m) outlet offers official clothing and merchandise for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

The Vancouver Organising Committee (VANOC) has opened a flagship Olympic Store offering official clothes and merchandise for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games at Vancouver International airport (YVR). The 1,300sq ft (121sq m) outlet is the first and largest of six dedicated Olympic Stores scheduled to open at the airport and offers branded clothing and merchandise including souvenirs, luggage, jewellery, umbrellas and sunglasses. The shop is operated by US retailer The Paradies Shops and prices range from C$7.99 ($7.96) to C$350 ($349).

VANOC ticket and consumer marketing vice-president Caley Denton said: “We are very pleased to add to the impressive Vancouver 2010 retail experience established by our premier national partner and official retailer, Hbc. The Olympic Store at YVR will be one of the flagships for 2010 Olympic and Paralympic merchandise and will likely be one of the busiest Olympic Stores. Its size affords it the ability to carry a wide range of official products in a high-profile location, and we expect it will attract not only travellers but also many local shoppers.”

Vancouver Airport Authority senior vice-president marketing and commercial development Tony Gugliotta added: “[The] grand opening of the first official Olympic Store at YVR marks an important step in our preparations to welcome the world in 2010. Offering a wide variety of merchandise, the Olympic Store is a welcome addition to our existing selection of more than 160 shops, services and restaurants.”

Four additional Olympic Stores are scheduled to open at both YVR’s domestic and international terminals in the coming months, with all stores expected to be open by early October 2008.