The Detroit Tigers Named 2011 “Club Retailer Of The Year”

          The Detroit Tigers have been named the 2011 MLB “Club Retailer of the Year” by Major League Baseball Properties for the Club’s commitment to driving merchandise sales. Regular season retail sales at Comerica Park in 2011 increased +26% over the 2010 season. Sales for MLB Authentication memorabilia, which are game-used and autographed items that are marked with a unique, searchable hologram by a third-party authenticator, have increased 100% from 2008 to 2011. The MLB Authentication Program is the first league-wide memorabilia authentication initiative in professional sports and has become an industry standard. 

          Since its inception in 2005, the MLB “Club Retailer of the Year” Award has been awarded based on a combination of hard sales data, vendor/customer feedback and creative marketing and merchandising efforts.  The Detroit Tigers opened a new 6,000 square-foot store, named “The D Shop” in April 2011.  Within the new D Shop is a MLB Authentication Collection area with wood displays and glass etched cabinets which have enhanced the presence and presentation of authenticated memorabilia.  The D Shop also has an expanded assortment of women’s and kid’s apparel as well as Big & Tall (3X – 6X) and over 300 styles and designs of hats/headwear.

          "The Detroit Tigers are honored to be recognized by Major League Baseball Properties as Club Retailer of the Year," said Duane McLean, Detroit Tigers' Executive Vice President of Business Operations. "This recognition is a tribute to the passionate Tigers fans everywhere who proudly wear the iconic old English 'D'. This is also a tribute to members of our organization and to the staff at Sportservice who work diligently to provide Tigers fans with unique and quality merchandise and authentic memorabilia."

          “Tigers fans are able to express their enthusiasm and passion for their team thanks to the club’s commitment to offering a variety of merchandise and apparel at the ballpark’s new ‘D Shop’ store,” said Howard Smith, Senior Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball. “As a result of this aggressive approach, especially with authenticated game-used memorabilia, the Tigers have put themselves in an ideal situation to capitalize on their on-field success.”

          Previous recipients of the award have included the Seattle Mariners in 2005, New York Mets in 2006, Philadelphia Phillies in 2007, Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 and Cincinnati Reds in 2010 (award not given in 2009).

About Major League Baseball Properties

The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Clubs’ agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rightsholders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information on Major League Baseball, log on to www.MLB.com.