Pune: Living to their promise of having a one-stop shop for their fans and followers alike, the Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team FC Pune City on Monday opened the doors of their official merchandise store in the heart of Pune.

The store will be the first-of-its-kind by any domestic football club in the country. Located on the FC Road, opposite Ferguson College, the retail store will house original club merchandise stuff like jerseys, flags, car hangers, car wobblers, mouse pads, photo-frames, mufflers, magnets etc. The store was inaugurated by FC Pune City team members and club CEO Gaurav Modwel.

“Till now our fans could reach us out during our engagement programs, match days via social media and digital platforms. But with this store, fans and followers now can be in touch with the club through the year. This store will be a further extension of the club’s very aim to give their fans an experience to remember on and off the field,” said club CEO Gaurav Modwel.

With this, FC Pune City will have a first-mover advantage in dedicated club merchandising space. “Sports merchandising in India is pretty much event-centric and the interest dips after the end of the league or the tournament because our seasons are short. Our store will give our fans and consumers to be in touch with their favourite club even after the season ends,” explained Mr. Modwel.

The store will have the collectibles starting at Rs. 100. The team’s original match-day kit produced by adidas will also be on sale at the shop. “This store will be an extension to our continual efforts to engage with our fans and supporters all the time. In time to come, we want this store to become the first touch-point for our club and all its activities,” said club’s co-owner Hrithik Roshan.