Borobi the hot ticket
Mascot in high demand as Games store opens
WHAT’S white on the outside, blue on the inside and covers 800sq m?
A Borobi-fuelled GC2018 Superstore.
Queensland’s largest-ever event merchandise store will open at Broadbeach’s Victoria Park from 11am today as it prepares to host 5000 visitors each day of the Commonwealth Games.
The Bulletin was yesterday granted a sneak peek of the enormous store and, as expected, found enough blue koalas to make a small child’s eyes water – and for good reason.
“Our popular mascot Borobi (is) expected to represent more than a third of all sales,” GOLDOC chief executive Mark Peters said.
“It is anticipated that up to 5000 people will visit the Superstore every day during the Games.
“Merchandise is an important revenue stream for the Games, but these unique and high-quality products also give fans the chance to show their support for GC2018.”
Befitting its name, the GC2018 Superstore is the state’s largest-ever event merchandise store and the third official Games outlet to open in the city, with smaller outlets at the Gold Coast Airport and Surfers Paradise.
Previous Games stores have tended to open a few weeks before the event but the Gold Coast has thrown the doors open early after demand for online sales.
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the superstore was not just to sell merchandise but also engage locals in the Commonwealth Games experience.
“Some of the GC2018 gold, silver and bronze medals that will be awarded to the athletes will be showcased within a Royal Australian Mint activation space,” she said.