Souvenir store a focus of Cats’ marketing
New Britain – Evan Levy calls it “shopper-tainment.”
Since Levy’s father Coleman and Bill Dowling purchased the New Britain Rock Cats in 2000, the team’s souvenir store has been a focal point of their marketing scheme, but the team’s vice president and his well-trained staff have taken ballpark fun a step further.
And as their slogan says, you’ve got to stop at the Third Base Shop before heading home.
“With the expansion of the store for those who haven’t seen it, it allows for more product and people spend more time browsing,” Evan Levy said. “We try to put more products on the floor so they can touch it and try it on. We changed the walls and added hardwood floors. Display options are more visible. We have mannequins. It allows people to be more active with their shopping experience.”
Colors abound. A wide range of Rock Cats caps in colors to suit every taste accent others from other Eastern League clubs and Major League Baseball. Logoed apparel dominates the store but novelties and collectibles are also in abundance.
“We meet the market trends to meet the needs of our fan base,” Levy said.
Levy has paid particular attention to the modern trend that finds the mainstream wearing the apparel in addition to the traditional fan shouting out his or her allegiance. The new logo that the Rock Cats unveiled last year has helped.
