Retailers are being invited to tender for a contact to operate London 2012 stores in the run-up to the Olympics.

The London Organising committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) wants to hire a retailer to operate stores that will sell branded London 2012 merchandise in shops on the high street, at airports, train stations and shopping centres.

The retailer chosen will operate the stores in a franchise-type arrangement under the London 2012 fascia.

The LOCOG estimates that around £1bn of licensed product will be sold in the UK between now and the beginning of the Games.

There will also be an online store that will sell the branded goods.

LOCOG senior commercial manager for licensing and retail Simon Lilley said: “We are looking for innovative responses from specialist operators that can offer expertise and creativity in one or more of the available formats. 

“The London 2012 merchandise programme is a key channel through which the general public will engage with and participate in the Games, as well as providing revenue to enable the successful staging of the Games.”  

Interested parties can apply online at www.london2012.com/business. 

The closing date for expressions of interest is October 16.

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