BY LYNNISSHA RUNA – RAW SPORTS FREELANCER
SALES of official Pacific Games merchandise from Ausmart shops surge as Solomon Islands ready to farewell regional athletes, with fans visiting stores to buy essential gifts.
Ausmart shops in Honiara are experiencing a surge in sales of official Pacific Games merchandise, including national flags, jewelry, handbags, and essential gifts, attracting fans to the stores.
Ausmart Merchandise Shop, situated behind Honiara’s National Stadium, is a popular top store attracting a diverse clientele including spectators, citizens, athletes, fans, foreign visitors, coaches, officials, journalists, and clients.
Ausmart Company Limited is the official merchandiser for this year’s Sol2023 Pacific Games.
Visiting athletes and officials prefer Sport City venues for shopping in Honiara due to hectic schedules, preferring Ausmart store for locally made goods and flags of participating countries.
Daniel Yee, Manager of Ausmart Merchandise Shop at the National Stadium, told RAW SPORTS that the National Stadium is the busiest branch during the Games, alongside the Main Branch at Town Ground’s Lengakiki Road.
“The store opened on November 19, following the Pacific Games Opening Ceremony, and experienced a brisk business environment, especially during major events and regular business hours.
“We have families, spectators, and athletes from all over the nation coming in to buy things they like. The Solomon Islands flag and T-shirts are the most popular purchases made each day, and we’re pleased to present one of our newest products, the Kava Solomon Nambawan product.
“What a day looks like; it’s always busy, and we obviously have between 500 and 1,000 customers every day. Since they only let twenty people work in a shift, we have shifts. Because there isn’t enough staff, my siblings and I have come here to help.
“We had one theft, but everything went smoothly and there was no major problem.
“Having everyone here is a lot of fun. It’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves and representing their nations, as well as the Solomon Islands.
The newest Kava Solomon Nambawan products now available in all Ausmart Merchandise Shops in Honiara. Photo credit @ Lynnissha Runa – Raw Sports Freelancer
“We are almost done; this is an accomplishment and a prosperous chapter in the history of the Solomon Islands. I would like to thank the government and people of the Solomon Islands for their cooperation and for being excellent ambassadors from the beginning.
“I was born here in the Solomon Islands, and all I can say is GO SOLO GO,” Yee added.
