Florida A&M University has been ranked No. 1, for the third year, when it comes to HBCU’s and the selling of its licensed merchandise.
According to the Collegiate License Company, FAMU’s sales have increased by 25 percent in the last fiscal year.
The profit from the licensed selling of FAMU’s merchandise contributes a portion of the funds for the school’s athletic scholarships. FAMU now receives 10 percent of the sales revenue, an increase compared to 2009 when it received 7.5 percent, according to Staff Writer Khristanda Cooper.
Merchandise is mostly sold through the campus bookstore, Wal-Mart and vendors during homecoming.
The CLC, one of the nation’s leading collegiate trademark, licensing and marketing companies, bases its rankings on the total sales in one fiscal year, asscording to Cooper.
According to FAMU.edu, the licensing program has generated up to $2.6 million in retail sells for this fiscal year.
Chelsea Burnett, 20, a third year student from Orange Park, FL works in the campus bookstore. She deals directly with consumers at her job.
“There has never been a day where I haven’t seen someone making a purchase,” she said. “During football season and homecoming is when you see a large amount of people purchasing items.”
Students, faculty and staff are the base market for FAMU apparel everywhere they go. Fans also cause an increase in spike on merchandise sold on a consistent basis.
“I work six hours each day and people buy five to 10 percent of merchandise during the hours I work”, said Chastity Smith, 20, a third year criminal justice student and bookstore employee from Fort Lauderdale.
According to Smith females usually buy feminine tees and lounge wear. The main consumers are alumni, parents and freshmen. When students have left over money on their book vouchers, they also make purchases.
“I buy mostly clothing, like hats, shirts, and sweat pants, for days when I dont feel like dressing up, or I am running really late, and game days,”said Jarelle Avery,19, a second year biology student from St. Petersburg, FL.
She likes FAMU apparel because it is stylish, comfortable and very affordable.
“I try to spend only about one hundred dollars on apparel, unless there is a lot of money left on my book voucher, then I spend more,” said Avery.
Poala Parker, 20, a third year occupational therapy student from Tampa, usually spends about$50 worth of apparel at the beginning of the school year.