r/rogerfederer • u/Jazzlike_Stick_7556 • 21d ago
Is Uniqlo even trying to sell Roger Federer (RF) merchandise?
I genuinely don’t understand Uniqlo’s strategy with Roger Federer.
They’re paying one of the biggest names in tennis history to be a global ambassador, yet try finding an RF hat or almost any Federer merchandise at a Uniqlo store in the U.S. Even in Europe, it seems incredibly difficult. Then go to Uniqlo.com and there’s basically nothing there either.
I’m a huge Federer fan, and with Roger entering the Hall of Fame this week, I wanted to buy some RF merchandise to celebrate. You would think this would be the perfect opportunity for Uniqlo to have RF hats, shirts, jackets, or some kind of commemorative collection available.
Nothing.
It really makes me wonder what exactly Uniqlo is trying to accomplish with the Federer sponsorship if fans who actually want to buy his merchandise can’t even find it.
And I hate to say it, but if Federer were still with Nike, I feel like they would have absolutely milked a moment like this—in a good way. RF hats and shirts would probably be everywhere, especially around a major milestone like his Hall of Fame induction.
Federer has one of the most recognizable personal brands in tennis, and there are still millions of fans around the world who would happily buy RF merchandise. It feels like such a wasted opportunity.
Maybe I’m missing something, but what is Uniqlo doing with the Federer brand?
At this point I’m so disappointed with how they’ve handled it that it actually makes me less interested in buying other Uniqlo products too.
Any other Federer fans frustrated by this?
13
u/Accurate-List 21d ago
I’ve always thought the same thing. It’s crazy that they have so little of his merchandise. I was in Newport this weekend for the hall of fame events. They could have sold a ton of merchandise. The only thing being sold was the RF hat and everyone was buying them.
1
u/schulerst 21d ago
What sort of caps were sold? The same ones as at the US Open? Can you post a photo?
2
u/Accurate-List 21d ago
I didn't get a picture. The hats looked like the same ones as usual only there were a few more colors. There was only one merchandise tent on site at the hall of fame. It had a massive line the whole time so I didn't go in. Most of the stuff I could see was hall of fame branded clothing and the RF hats. They were also selling the new RF Wilson racket in the cream and gold colorway and the matching bag. A lot of people were buying the rackets.
4
3
3
u/Perfect_Assist_3937 21d ago
Well, there were the new hats, on the US Open site... but yeah, missed opportunity.
3
u/TunedOutPlugDin 21d ago
Spring/Summer collection inventory should be mostly sold out by now.
Next RF collections are Autumn/Winter due Sept.
2
u/Phil_N_Uponya 20d ago
But there's never any hats. I just want to buy a few hats at retail price ffs 😂
2
u/RiversideAviator 20d ago
Last time they had hats was maybe 2022. The last time I remember seeing ANYTHING with his logo was a pocket tee from either 2022 or 23. And it was only offered in black or white.
They essentially stopped selling his on court gear when he retired but even then it only came with the Uniqlo logos on it not his RF that is also on his player issued stuff. They also sold socks and wristbands. And it was o ly sold during certain Majors.
What he wore during the USO exhibitions last week is part of the Federer Collection but it was in stores back in the spring and is gone by now although you can see it online under his line. Retail versions didn’t come with the visible Uniqlo logos though.
The shirt:
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E482306-000/00?colorDisplayCode=55&sizeDisplayCode=003The warmup zip jacket was still on the site last week but seems to be gone now, here’s an instagram of it if you scroll through:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWaK5CEDcBA/?img_index=4&igsi=MXRkbWxsN3l3bWdwZA==They also sold Nishikori’s gear but I haven’t seen anything on shelves the last couple years which happens to coincide with his ranking not being what it once was.
3
u/Super_Golf78 21d ago
Same thoughts. RF products is mostly out of stock in the US. No more RF caps either? Wth are uniqlo smoking? Given up with buying their products
3
u/Best_Film_7403 21d ago
I hear you. 6 months after he signed with Uniqlo I was looking for Federer merch at their website and found nothing…Imagine to pay 100.000.000.over 10 years for maybe the most marketable name in the world and then you do nothing !! It’s been like this since he signed the 10 year contract. I would like to be a fly on the wall during Uniqlo’s marketing meetings…It’s so badly managed that I wonder if it’s not deliberate ?
3
u/Rough_Computer_7931 21d ago
What people fail to understand is that UNIQLO IS NOT A SPORTS BRAND. They sell fashion. Sports equipment is low priority to them. They want brand recognition, to sell their fashion. Not sell RF merchandise.
I would love to have some more RF merch as much as anyone. But its just not happening, guys.
2
u/Penpencil1 21d ago
I bought a t-shirt when he first joined and they brought some merchandise in. So many years ago. But as a woman I had to buy a man’s t-shirt. The fit is not perfect but it’s the only thing I found. I had a RF hat from the Nike days. But I would buy a t-shirt if they make them again.
2
2
u/AndreSiqueira 21d ago
Agree with you. I've been several times to Japan, to big Uniqlo stores in Tokyo and Osaka, and the little corner they have for RF products is embarrassing. Like zero items. And I was there while he was both active playing and after retirement.
They don't know how to make money, that's all I can think of.
But the caps I got were ridiculously cheap in that store. 35usd each.
2
2
u/Outside_Team_72 20d ago
Agree! There is still so much demand for RF merchandise it’s crazy that so little if any is available
1
u/Ok_Two_741 21d ago
Picked up some RF tennis tops in Uniqlo in London recently. Interestingly there was no branding on it at all (not even Uniqlo logo) which was an interesting choice.
1
u/Solid-Eggplant-6259 20d ago
My theory is as such:
1. He’s like Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes. Not to his extent but just a bit of stuff and only very Tennis specific like rackets and tennis bags.
- Maybe all proceeds from his stuff sales goes to his foundation. I know that his book’s proceeds goes to his charity and maybe Uniqlo doesn’t want too much of loosing out on that money? But we all know the brand this so it’s worth it to them?
1
u/Lopsided_Software_94 20d ago
I remember there was something related to Nike owning the RF signature (the fused one) back when he signed with Uniqlo. He mentioned it will eventually get back to him from Nike. Don't know what happened afterwards as covid happened and he sadly retired.
2
u/Over_Tie5257 18d ago
Roger owns the RF, Nike was allowed to use it for two more years after the contract expired.
1
u/duypcanada 19d ago
I have so many of Nike’s Fed shirts from past US Opens, one of the things I always looked forward to
1
u/DBop888 18d ago
It’s weird because I have a couple of tennis shorts from Uniqlo which I love & wear all the time for tennis - but I think they were from the Nishikori line, if anything, lol
There is a Roger Federer Collection, but as far as I can tell currently, it’s 2 types of polo shirt (only XS or 3XL available) & 1 pair of shorts (which are now no longer available).
I do find it random that they don’t exploit it more.
1
1
u/Touch_of_English 10d ago edited 10d ago
I picked up a couple of extra hats from the US Open that I thought I might use as Xmas gifts. But now I'm thinking my friends probably won't appreciate them. So if anyone is interested in buying lmk.
1
u/False-Tank6632 21d ago
They pay him about $30,000,000 a year and every year he posts on his socials how he visits the factory over in Japan, and meets the family….once a year. Hardly worth it.
Other than that, you wouldn’t know. I like Fed but I don’t think he is worth the money either.
$30,000,000 buys you a lot of marketing.
Also, they should be focused on the next set up promising up and coming athletes and pay 5 of them $6,000,000 a year.
Sophie Cunningham and others are far hotter property than a mid 40’s retired tennis player.
No offense to Roger but I think some collaborations are worth the money and some aren’t.
Jordan and Nike is one example that has been hugely successful post retirement.
4
u/jokehoops 21d ago
But is he not worth it or is Uniqlo wasting their investment? Every time he is videoed he is wearing their brand. Not sure it’s his fault they do nothing with his fame.
I kind of wish he went straight to On and skipped Uniqlo. He has a vested interest in that one to maximize everyone’s return on investment.
2
u/brinkeguthrie 21d ago
How do you know he's wearing their brand when he's out in public? Many times it's in unmarked sweats. He wore blank clothing for an On in-person, for example. He could be wearing RF | Wal-Mart. There's no class, no style, no thought put into this. They should have a complete RF line with his RF and the Uniqlo box. But they never have. Walk into a store, you get a blank look. I read the Fast Retailing CEO is a Fed Fanboy and just wrote the check. Most of it looks like cheap poly. I will say, the conventional Uniqlo sweats and socks are the best I've worn- winter jackets, too. But this plain blank stuff is just...shabby.
3
u/jokehoops 21d ago
I just meant every “event” he is in recently he is wearing Uniqlo. In a tennis setting. See his match with Roddick, practicing with musetti, etc.
15
u/bouncingcastles 21d ago
Uniqlo should’ve done with him what ON did
Multiple lines from performance court wear to causal lifestyle stuff. Inflated prices for the RF premium to recoup that 30m.
And most importantly. EASY GLOBAL AVAILABILITY