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How To Spend It –


The HPC Guide To Retail Therapy! By Katy Letman


At the start of the season 2012 I came up with a simply brilliant idea – I could run the club shop. I had plenty of supplier contacts, it would be fun, contribute something to the club and probably wouldn’t be too much work – selling a few bits and pieces… how hard could it be? Really? What was I thinking?


I was right on some points as it is fun but I had no idea what I was taking on in terms of work load.


Tucked under the commentary box it is a bit of a cavern, but once your eyes adjust from watching the field under the blazing sunlight of a summer’s day it is a gorgeous Aladdin’s cave of polo goodies. It has a ridiculously low ceiling height, which at 5’4” doesn’t trouble me in the slightest but some of the taller polo fraternity have to stoop to conquer their shopping urges. More than one gentlemen player has had to go down on one knee to try on a polo helmet - it’s just perfect. The great thing about polo from a retail point of view is the sheer amount of kit and branding it can encourage players to invest in. And polo stuff is frankly gorgeous, so who wouldn’t want to be decked out in it, on or off the field?


So who are the clientele at Ham’s flagship store? Well to start with there are the new players. For these lovely shoppers there is always the temptation to get the entire outfit and equipment – it is important NOT to fight this temptation and get the look, alongside the actual playing/ instruction experience – I am confident that it actually improves your game. And once you can play and start doing matches you will inevitably need a pony….and one is not really enough, so before you know it you have a string of them. Now each pony needs its own set of tack and all the safety trimmings that you must have to go on the field….bandages, tendon boots, over reach boots….plus all the stable rugs, sweat rugs – it is a delicious list and means present ideas for birthdays and Christmases, from this day forward are no longer a problem.


Once you have your ponies all kitted out – the next step is to create your team and then everything you have polo-wise, will need to be branded. This is also music to my ears as having spent the last couple of summers developing HPC branded merchandise, I am also happy to get shirts, jackets, gillets, saddle cloths, bandages etc. embroidered or printed with team names and logos.


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Experienced players are another shop stalwart – it is a fast and furious sport so things wear out and break simply from the cut and thrust of play and not…thank you to the more aggressive players, because I subtly sabotage stock to increase sales. Ok when I do play I perhaps go for the player and his or her tack more than the ball in an effort to generate turnover but what retailer does not try to maximise opportunity in the current climate?


In addition to our happily shopping members the shop also opens its doors to spectators and visitors and there is plenty for them to buy and enjoy. They can rummage through HPC branded merchandise including caps, shirts, jackets, polo accessories, jewellery, belts, dog collars and leads plus many other enticements – it is actually rather difficult to leave empty handed. I do encourage visitors to really immerse themselves in the whole polo/HPC experience and part of that is going home laden down with lovely polo-related goodies. Another part of the polo experience is also trying out the game itself and what better way to enjoy the club than to play, shop and support it throughout the season.


I am so looking forward to being back behind my till and this year the shop will be offering some items also displaying the logo for Riding for the Disabled (RDA). Riding can be such a beneficial exercise for people with disabilities and 10% of the retail price from every item carrying the logo will go to RDA. It seems particularly appropriate in this Year of the Horse.


I look forward to welcoming everyone at the Ham Polo Club retail emporium and feel free to contact me for any enquiries or orders on 07909 915 737 or at katyletman@hotmail.com. The shop is open when club polo is on: Tuesday & Thursday 6pm-8pm; Saturday 10am- Midday and Sunday midday – 5pm. At all other times I can be persuaded to sell you things, by appointment.


HAM POLO CLUB


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