February 23, 2012

Badgers help retailers extend shopping season

The holiday shopping season isn’t over yet, thanks, in part, to the Badgers.

As fans commemorate Bucky’s trip to Pasadena, some retailers rake in a little extra cash. Retail analyst Doug Johnson says thank goodness for the Rose Bowl-bound Wisconsin Badgers. “It’s interesting to see the impact upon continued holiday shopping sales when local football teams continue to succeed.”

The 11-1 Badgers will take on the 12-0 TCU Horned Frogs on New Year’s Day. Johnson says a winning team equals better sales, thereby pumping up profits and extending the shopping season well past Christmas. “Sports paraphernalia is very popular … anything with your favorite team’s logo on it is a very popular gift.”

The Packers are doing better than expected this season, and Johnson says retailers aren’t complaining about those Big Ten Champions in red and white. He says a lot of sports paraphernalia is flying off the shelves.

Johnson says trips to the store are also fueled by gift-returns, trade-ins, and desires to expend those recently-acquired gift cards.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:23