Purchasing Souvenirs at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games — Ultimate Guide for PyeongChang 2018
For fans, buying Olympic souvenirs and apparel (to wear at the Games and when you return home) is all part of the amazing experience. And, while it may seem like there is an endless supply because so much inventory lines the shelves, there isn’t. Retailers, gift shops and airport stores and kiosks run out — so it’s important to approach your Olympic shopping the same way you have done with the rest of your PyeongChang planning. Don’t wait to get there only to discover that the Megastore in Gangneung Olympic Park no longer has your sweatshirt size and the plush toys for your children are sold out…everywhere.
How do I know?
This happened to me at my first Olympics in London 2012. At the Team USA store there was a Ralph Lauren Olympic T-Shirt that I wanted but did not buy because I was coming back in a couple of days and there were “plenty of them”. When I came back 2 days later — they were all gone, never to be found again. I even spent months after the Olympics still looking for it in stores and on eBay, but still I never found it again and I still regret not purchasing it. Below are my top tips for Olympic collectible shopping so you don’t spend your week looking in every nook and cranny, only not to find the one thing you are looking for.
(Note: The Team USA House does not have a retail store this year, get your gear before you head to South Korea! The Ralph Lauren Team USA collection is available now here: https://www.ralphlauren.com/men-olympics-feat)
Above: See me featured on The Olympic Zone, part of NBC’s national coverage of the Olympics with Natalie Morales covering the hottest souvenirs at PyeongChang 2018 at http://bit.ly/2QWHk67.
Tip #1: If you identify something you want from the PyeongChang 2018 online store before you go, find it at the earliest possible moment once you arrive, as items cannot be pre-ordered or shipped internationally. Schedule extra time upon arrival at the airport, to shop inside the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic official stores and kiosks. Or, alternatively plan to visit one of the two Olympic Megastores in either Gangneung Olympic Park or Pyeonchang Olympic Plaza as soon as you can. If you do this on the first day you are there, you will be more successful in finding the items you want. This is how seasoned Olympic fans do it.
Tip #2: If you do not find what you are looking for at the two Megastores, there are a few other ways to find Olympic items, which include:
- Other venues: Each venue will have its own merchandise store. The stores will generally be focused on the events occurring at that venue. For example, the Ice Hockey venues would have the Ice Hockey shirts, etc.
- Hotels & gift shops: You can often find many of the licensed logo apparel and souvenirs at many hotel and local shops in the PyeongChang and Gangneung areas.
Tip #3: Keep in mind, apparel sizing in South Korea is smaller for the same size in the United States so buy one size larger than you typically wear even for international brands. If you wear a Small, buy a Medium and so on — this applies for both Men and Women sizes. If you have any questions, make sure to try on the clothing before purchasing so you are not stuck with the wrong size!
Lastly, it is important to understand what types of items are likely to sell out and sell most quickly. While mascots Soohorang and Bandabi are some of the cutest mascots in several games and there should be plenty of plush toys available throughout your stay, like everyone else, if you see the exact one you want to bring home, buy it and pack it! But this brings us to…
Tip #4: Know what items are most likely to sell out quickly at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games.
Here is my list of items likely to sell out quickly:
- The North Face PyeongChang 2018 logo apparel. The North Face line is exclusive to South Korea and cannot be found elsewhere. Several items including the jacket mentioned could be gone before you get there and remember even if you know The North Face as a US brand, they will run approximately 1 size smaller in South Korea.
- General PyeongChang 2018 logo apparel. These apparel lines usually go first, followed by the event specific apparel.
- Coffee mugs, canteens, and tumblers. These items are especially attractive to international visitors who want to take a piece of the Winter Games back with them.
From Ken Hanscom’s, Ultimate Guide to PyeongChang 2018 which you can access here: http://bit.ly/2Dai8Qg
About Ken Hanscom:
Ken Hanscom is a veteran-fan of the Olympic Games and the recognized expert in ticketing, corporate sponsorships, traveling to and experiencing the Olympic Games. In his role as COO at InviteManager, during Rio 2016, Ken worked directly with the United States Olympic Committee, NBC Universal, Anheuser Busch, & Cartan Tours the authorized ticket reseller for 23 countries across the globe on their ticketing & corporate hospitality programs. While in Rio, Ken attended 30 events while guest blogging for the International Business Times, writing for USA Today, The Post Game, and appearing on ESPN Radio. For more information and interviews with Ken on the Olympics and the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 games, connect via Twitter or directly at kenh@invitemanger.com