Press releases

MINSK, 10 January (BelTA) – Belarus has approved 26 titles and 87 varieties of the 2014 IIHF World Championship merchandise for sale during the tournament in Minsk, Nina Pashko, head of the non-food consumer market department of the Trade Ministry, told a press conference held on 10 January to discuss the performance of the Trade Ministry of Belarus in 2013, BelTA has learnt.

“The World Championship merchandise allowed for sale ranges from textile-based calendars, notebooks and drawing books to wooden caskets, butter dishes, soap, sauna and bathhouse sets,” Nina Pashko said. Their sales are restricted to fan zones and sports arenas.

According to the specialist, the International Ice Hockey Federation has concluded a contract with a Swedish firm that will be an exclusive producer of the championship’s promotional products. A number of the Belarusian merchandise with the 2014 IIHF WC logo should be removed from sale by 9 February. These products will be back on store shelves after 25 May. The ban applies to 56 titles and 188 varieties of the merchandise.

Negotiations are underway over a permission to sell polybags with the 2014 IIHF WC logo during the championship (they are currently banned). “We are in talks with the WC Directorate and the International Ice Hockey Federation to lift the restrictions on the sale of these products during the championship,” Nina Pashko said.

The official IIHF WC merchandise (about 90 titles and 310 varieties) is produced by nearly 100 licensed manufacturers in Belarus. Retailers have created necessary conditions to generate good sales of the World Championship merchandise by putting the items on storefront window displays and showcase displays.