Villanova Championship Causes Boost in School Merch Sales, And Beyond
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Business has been booming at Villanova's bookstore since the big basketball win, but it's not just the national championship-themed merchandise that's providing a boost to the economy.
Nova seniors Will and Vee spent about 45 minutes in line at the university store.
Will picked himself up some championship shirts and a couple crewnecks, while Vee got her brother a championship shirt, a longsleeve, and a hat.
"I missed his birthday -- it was on Monday -- for the game, so I had to get him something," said Vee.
Each forked over about $200.
250 sporting goods stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are selling Wildcats apparel; even Victoria's Secret is getting in on the action.
"Not just Villanova, but also some other schools are having their merchandise being placed at Victoria's Secret. And those products are selling like hotcakes, from what I've been told by some of the Victoria's Secret people in the malls," said David Fiorenza with the Villanova School of Business.
He adds that "people are spending money because they feel good about themselves, they feel good about the area, and they're confident."
That means the 118,000 alumni worldwide are more apt to splurge on a dinner, or they're more likely to buy some item unrelated to Villanova that they've had an eye on.
This kind of impact, Fiorenza says, is fast and furious, but also fleeting -- except, the school would hope, for when it comes to raising money.
