As the 2024 Paris Olympics commence, the Olympic economy is heating up, with sports goods like soccer, basketball, and volleyball equipment, as well as Olympic-themed items such as scarves and cheer sticks, becoming highly popular.
Yiwu, known for its manufacturing prowess, has never missed a major sports event. This year's Paris Olympics have made "Paris Purple" the latest trend.
Yiwu merchant Chen Shaomei quickly embraced this trend, creating a stunning purple soccer ball that became an instant hit, selling 20,000 units in just one month. "Some customers even rushed orders to be airlifted to Paris," Chen said, noting a 50-percent increase in orders to France this year.
The Olympic business boom isn't limited to sports goods. Jewelry merchants are also capitalizing on the opportunity. Liu Ruqun introduced a series of earrings inspired by the French flag, which quickly sold out.
"We initially made a few hundred pairs of each style, but they sold out immediately, and customers are now placing more orders," Liu said.
Sportswear merchants in Yiwu are also benefiting from the Olympic economy. Wen Congjian, who designs fan apparel, said, "We designed fan cheer uniforms with breathable fabrics and Paris Olympic elements. This popular item has already seen 100,000 units shipped to Paris."
According to Yiwu Customs, from January to June this year, Yiwu's exports to France reached 1.73 billion yuan ($238.4 billion), a 23.7-percent increase year-on-year, with sports goods exports growing by 150.7 percent.
