Panini America Announces Authorized Case Breaker Designation, Other Enhancements

Panini America officials on Friday announced several enhancements to the company’s internet retail policies designed to support both online and brick-and-mortar marketplaces. In addition, the company also detailed enhancements to support collector participation with online Group and Case Breaks. The changes come on the heels of the company’s new Panini Roundtable hobby shop program introduced in August.

The major enhancement is designed to support the growing Case Breaking segment of the market and the collectors that participate in them. Panini America is creating a separate category class in its distribution model for Authorized Case Breakers. Those interested in becoming an Authorized Case Breaker can submit an application through Panini America master distributors for evaluation by Panini America. A complete list of Authorized Case Breakers will be released by mid-November.

“The introduction of an Authorized Case Breaker class within our distribution model was one we seriously considered and reviewed over a period of months,” said D.J. Kazmierczak, Panini America’s Vice President of Sales. “By creating an Authorized Case Breaker category, we feel it will provide a level of comfort to collectors who are looking to get involved with case breaking, knowing that Panini has deemed those Authorized Case Breakers as a trustworthy source. Panini has been an ardent supporter of case breaking and we feel by creating this level of classification, it not only further legitimizes this segment but will grow the overall category.”

Panini America also has updated several elements of its Internet Retail Policy.

All of the company’s Authorized Internet Retailers and Case Breakers must maintain an advertised price that is 20 percent above direct cost in the 15 days following a product’s release. The same holds true for any pre-sells. In addition, any Authorized Internet Retailer found to be selling below the stated price will immediately become unauthorized.

“The policy has been updated to coincide with our new Panini Roundtable program and our continued commitment to support the brick-and-mortar hobby shops as much as we possibly can,” Kazmierczak said. “With a full compliment of people now on the Panini sales team, we have the ability to administer to the policing of this policy.

“Internet retailers are very important to us. There still are many places in this country where online is the only means of distribution available. At the same time, we recognize that sometimes these retailers do not operate with the same overhead costs involved with brick-and-mortar stores. We want to make sure that all channels of distribution continue to operate in the best interest of Panini brands and in the best interest of the overall sports trading card category.”

A reminder of other Panini America distribution policies:

• Unauthorized internet retailers and case breakers may NOT be supplied by Panini America master distributors or direct accounts.
• Authorized Panini accounts may not sell below direct wholesale price on the internet for 30 days after a product’s release.
• There will be no U.S.-Canada cross border selling for 120 days after a product’s release.

Internet retailers, show dealers and online case breakers must submit an application through Panini America Master Distributors and will be approved by Panini.

Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional updates and a complete list of Authorized Case Breakers.