| Croke Park to get its own superstore
 By
Jon Myles
THEY’VE been a cash cow for Premiership soccer sides — and
now the GAA is getting in on the game by opening its first retail superstore.
The organisation is hoping to boost its revenue by building the new megastore
on a site next to Croke Park.
The store will stock GAA merchandise, equipment and souvenirs and is set
to open later this year.
A site directly across from the Hogan Stand has been identified, and construction
work is expected to commence shortly.
If successful it could provide a valuable source of extra revenue for
the GAA.
Croke Park’s stadium director Peter McKenna said the superstore
would be 5,500 square feet large and sell GAA memorabilia and licensed
products such as jerseys, footballs and clothing.
He said: “We have licensed a lot of products, and this will act
as a one-stop shop where you can get any GAA product. It will be a retail
superstore.There is currently no single point where you can buy all our
products under one roof, and this is something we want to change.”
The GAA also owns other sites in the area which could also be used for
developments in the coming years.
Mr McKenna said: ‘’It is a matter of utilising our resources
as best we possibly can.”
The move is part of an on-going initiative to increase revenues at Croke
Park.
Last week officials revealed the stadium’s turnover had increased
from €19.6million in 2004 to more than €30 million last year.
Its operating surplus increased from €12.8million to €17.9million.
Mr McKenna said the GAA had benefited from the three U2 concerts in the
stadium last year. British pop star Robbie Williams and Bon Jovi have
confirmed dates for this year while American singer Billy Joel is expected
to announce a concert date at the stadium in the coming weeks.
The GAA will also benefit from the decision to play Ireland’s international
soccer and rugby fixtures at Croke Park while Lansdowne Road is being
redeveloped.
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