Taylor Swift’s presence in Dublin radiates a sense of hope amongst the local business community who anticipate substantial profits from the influx of her massive fanbase. Many local traders are already seeing a spike in foot traffic, and some are intentionally tailoring their businesses to cater to the fans.
Manager at Flying Tiger in Jervis Shopping Centre, Colm Bass, highlights an example: a cleverly thought-out ‘friendship bracelet stand’, featuring a photo of the star, has reportedly boosted sales by around 70%.
Swift uses friendship bracelets as a part of her Eras Tour, advocating fans to create their bracelets using bright beads, and then trade them with other fans at the concert. Alternative Dublin, an events company, has held a Taylor Swift fan festival over the last fortnight at the This Must Be the Place venue in Temple Bar.
Isabel Fernandes, the firm’s manager and events coordinator, acknowledges that the summer season can be quite sluggish for many event centres and pubs. Having such occasions, especially those leading to big events like Pride, is an excellent way to spark interest.
She reveals that they’ve hosted around eight workshops during the previous couple of weeks, which includes sober venue workshops and pub ones. Fans make around four to five bracelets to swap them at the concert.
Dublin Pottery Painting has organised a series of Swift-inspired events at their Smithfield studio. Unable to secure concert tickets, many attendees find these pottery classes a great opportunity to participate in the community.
Emma McMillan, a studio employee, comments about the uniqueness of Taylor Swift’s fans and their crafty nature, asserting that many companies are capitalising on this, with great success.
Those who were successful in securing tickets are urged to bring an assortment of accessories to the renowned Aviva Stadium. Cupid Ruszo from the quirky Silly Shop, situated on Liffey Street, comments that cowboy hats have been rapidly selling out and needing daily restocking, such is their popularity. He adds that bows, heart-shaped sunglasses and tutus are also flying off the shelves.
Competing with this trend is nail art, inspired by Taylor Swift’s album covers. Michelle Horan from Tropical Popical, a nail salon on South William Street once praised by the famous actress Saoirse Ronan, confirms: “Over the past couple of weeks, an increasing number of customers are asking for Taylor Swift-themed nail art .”