NBA tie up with Kitbag for new online EU Store

The NBA today announced a multi-year partnership with Kitbag, Europe’s leading online sports retailer, to launch the league’s official online store for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Set to launch in September 2012, NBAStore.eu will offer an extensive range of NBA-branded products from the league’s official merchandise partners, including adidas, the NBA’s official outfitter, Spalding, Mitchell & Ness, New Era and Forever Collectibles. Fans will also be able to access exclusive products, including personalized jerseys and graphic t-shirts.

Manchester-based Kitbag will be familiar to many with it already being a major player in terms of online sales of Barclays Premier League merchandise, as well as other popular football teams across Europe together with a variety of other sports. The tie-up will no doubt be of huge benefit to both Kitbag and the NBA.

The site will initially be available in English, French, Italian and Spanish with further languages to be developed. Fans will be able to make purchases in local currency and will benefit from a centralized European distribution point saving on transit time and shipping costs. Local language customer service will further enhance the e-commerce retail experience.

“As a leader in online sports retail in Europe, Kitbag is the ideal partner to launch the first Europe specific NBA e-commerce destination,” said Ben Morel, Senior Vice President of NBA Europe.

“NBAStore.eu will provide NBA fans in Europe, the Middle East and Africa with a localized e-commerce destination that will allow them access to the vast array of NBA merchandise through which they can express their passion for the game.”

Andy Anson, CEO of Kitbag, commented: “The NBA is an iconic brand with tremendous global appeal and following. We are proud to be associated with the NBA and delighted they have chosen Kitbag to become their official online store partner. We are confident that our deep expertise within the online sports retail sector will be a key asset as the NBA strives to build its position in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

Kitbag will also collaborate with the NBA to manage in-event retail stores at upcoming events.

This is another big step for NBA on this side of the Atlantic, during the past few years having staged regular season games at the O2 Arena, the most recent activity has been their hugely popular NBA House event in Covent Garden during the Olympic Games in London this summer.

Such an announcement makes it clear that they are not wanting to hold back on their assault of Europe and the rest of the world. USA Basketball’s victories in both the men’s and women’s competitions will no doubtedly have captured the imagination of new fans to the sport.

The BBL may even take notice of such a development and with the upcoming season only a few weeks away, could spark the league into making the availability a whole lot more easier to get a hold of to attract any British fans to watching and supporting their local sides.

For those interested on visiting the website, it doesn’t go live until September, however, if you visit www.nbastore.eu now you can add your details to get 10% off your first purchases.