Jersey row escalates in New Zealand
Source: Agencies |
August 12, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SPORTSWEAR maker adidas canceled a glitzy celebrity party yesterday as it struggled to contain an escalating public relations crisis over its pricing of All Blacks rugby jerseys in New Zealand.
Adidas had invited hundreds of people, including sports stars and local celebrities, to its "Black is Beautiful" party in downtown Auckland but scrapped the function a day after senior executives apologized on television for the "distraction" the pricing issue had caused.
The apology came after public figures from Prime Minister John Key to rugby great Sir Colin Meads criticized the company for charging New Zealanders double the price that All Blacks jerseys were selling for overseas. Adidas is the sponsor of New Zealand's national team, designing and manufacturing its black jersey which is one of the most recognized uniforms in world sports.
It unveiled a new high-tech All Blacks jersey two weeks ago and immediately offered replicas of that jersey, and another "World Cup" version, for sale.
Anger erupted when it was discovered the World Cup jersey, priced at 220 New Zealand dollars (US$180) in New Zealand, could be bought through US websites for as little as NZ$98 (US$80). New Zealand retailers led criticism of adidas' wholesale pricing and recommended retail prices. The country's leading sportswear retailer, Rebel Sport, threatened to stop selling the jersey if adidas didn't bend on price.
Adidas had invited hundreds of people, including sports stars and local celebrities, to its "Black is Beautiful" party in downtown Auckland but scrapped the function a day after senior executives apologized on television for the "distraction" the pricing issue had caused.
The apology came after public figures from Prime Minister John Key to rugby great Sir Colin Meads criticized the company for charging New Zealanders double the price that All Blacks jerseys were selling for overseas. Adidas is the sponsor of New Zealand's national team, designing and manufacturing its black jersey which is one of the most recognized uniforms in world sports.
It unveiled a new high-tech All Blacks jersey two weeks ago and immediately offered replicas of that jersey, and another "World Cup" version, for sale.
Anger erupted when it was discovered the World Cup jersey, priced at 220 New Zealand dollars (US$180) in New Zealand, could be bought through US websites for as little as NZ$98 (US$80). New Zealand retailers led criticism of adidas' wholesale pricing and recommended retail prices. The country's leading sportswear retailer, Rebel Sport, threatened to stop selling the jersey if adidas didn't bend on price.
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