As the NFL season kicks off, Ohio businesses must be prepared

August 24 2013

Football and Ohio just seem to go together. Even if the local professional teams haven't experienced any significant success in recent years, this state still loves its pigskin, which means this time of year represents a massive spike in local business activity.

Earlier this month, fans flocked to Canton to witness this year's class get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Many even stuck around to watch the Cowboys and Dolphins play the Hall of Fame Game on August 5. Now that August is almost over, we can move past the ceremonies and put the preseason in our rear view mirror. It's almost time for the regular season to begin.

The Cleveland Browns open the season at home on September 8 against the Dolphins. Whether or not fans are optimistic about Cleveland's chances this fall, we all know the Dawg Pound will be rocking when we kickoff and the games are for real. Last year, the Browns only went 5-11, but they drew just under 67,000 fans per game, posting better attendance than playoff teams Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Minnesota. The team also had a higher capacity percentage than Washington, which also made the playoffs. Downtown Cleveland will likely see a spike again this fall, which means local vendors must be prepared.

The retail and food and beverage industries are major beneficiaries of increased foot traffic around the stadium. However, companies must take proper steps if they are to capitalize on this opportunity. In the NFL, no one knows how a team will do before the season starts. If the Browns start winning, expect an even greater turnout on Sunday afternoons, either at the stadium itself or in local bars.

Businesses cannot afford to be unprepared for this event. If they run out of stock because of logistical issues, that reputational hit could impact them the rest of the season. Working with a Cleveland-based product distribution services provider will help local businesses stay competitive throughout the fall.