KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

Billyboy78's question got me thinking:

A couple of weeks ago (at the George Mason game) I was in the Ram Zone looking for something for my 2 year old. I found nothing (there was for toddlers a couple of years earlier). I asked an employee and they told me they only sold merch for toddlers at the bookstore. I could if I wanted to, order on line for pick up at the Ram Zone. I think that is very short sighted. You have a willing customer (and I'm sure not the only one) looking to buy something for a toddler to wear, it should be available. I know it's not a huge space, but they need to find room. There are plenty of fans with young kids, why not have stuff to sell in the Ram Zone?

PS: Sorry if this post is in the wrong place...feel free to move.

As this program expands, so should its amenities. The store is actually spilling out into the back hall way. There should be something done.

I hear your complaints about product availability. I however also see the other side. The shop in the Ryan Center is open very little in terms of total hours each year. Fully stocking it probably does not make much sense given it has a higher chance to sit on the shelf longer and go unsold. Carrying inventory costs money. You typically want to turn it over as quick as possible. Tough to do with very limited open hours.

I love that this program has made it to the point where among the chief complaints in January, is the lack of toddler attire in the team store...

Blue Man wrote:I love that this program has made it to the point where among the chief complaints in January, is the lack of toddler attire in the team store...

Great point!

RF1 wrote:I hear your complaints about product availability. I however also see the other side. The shop in the Ryan Center is open very little in terms of total hours each year. Fully stocking it probably does not make much sense given it has a higher chance to sit on the shelf longer and go unsold. Carrying inventory costs money. You typically want to turn it over as quick as possible. Tough to do with very limited open hours.

That's a very good point, but how many people are going to the main bookstore for toddler clothing vs. the Ram Zone? I don't know the answer. I would guess the bookstore is frequented by students and their parents who probably don't also have a toddler (though possibly a grandkid?). But I think there is value in having stock in both locations or move some to the Ram Zone on game day.

Yea the average basketball fan will never go to the bookstore, and I doubt its open around gametime.