Major League Baseball has recognized the Cincinnati Reds and Delaware North Sportservice, the official food, beverage and retail provider at Great American Ball Park, with the 2018 Hard Goods Retailer of the Year Award.
The honor marks the top retailer Club in the league with sales of all non-apparel items including accessories and souvenirs to decorations and team collectibles.
"We are honored to receive this award with the Reds," said Marcelle Nance, Delaware North retail director at GABP. "Our long-standing partnership with the Reds allows us to reach beyond the standard inventory and offer fans items that traverse the imagination."
Delaware North's Marcelle Nance, retail director at GABP, accepted the award on behalf of the Reds and Sportservice at the Hard Goods Retail Summit in Florida this week. In 2018, Nance and her crew bought from 37 Hard Goods licensees.
The league commended the Reds retail operation for expanding their reach, trying new items in their stores, working with a variety of licensees and continuously introducing new vendors to refresh inventory for the fans.
"The novelty category adds newness to the products offered to the fans," said Nance. "We offered a variety of collectibles and a wide assortment of toys for the youngest fans to remember their ball park experience."
It was also noted that the Reds ranked among the highest of all teams for hard goods units/dollars purchased.
About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Delaware North has annual revenue of $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. Learn more about Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, at www.delawarenorth.com.
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