JEDDAH, 17 August 2005 — Colored wristbands originally designed as a way to raise charitable contributions and give the wearers the chance to make a statement instead are contributing to the makers and sellers well-being and allowing the wearers to make a fashion statement.
Athletic wear giant Nike designed different colored wristbands, of which 10 percent of the income is donated to different charities. As its popularity grew worldwide and in the Kingdom, imitations of the bracelets emerged, and soon became fashionable. The elastic wristbands exist in many different colors.
Yellow bands with the word “Livestrong” represent the battle against cancer and were created in 1997 by the nonprofit Lance Armstrong Foundation. The wristbands are being sold in the United States for one dollar, of which 10 cents is donated to cancer victims in need. Other existing colors are: pink for breast cancer, white and black against racism, dark blue against child abuse and black, which represents antiterrorism. Many other colors have since emerged. Arab News contacted shops to find out if the wristbands being sold locally.
Nike received the genuine bracelets this week and is not yet displaying them for sale. A Nike salesperson said they were still unsure of the price but that it soon would be available to customers. Other than the bracelets soon to be sold at Nike, Jeddah markets already are overflowing with imitations.
The wristbands were introduced here six months ago. Shopkeepers were buying the bands for SR10 and selling them for SR50. With time, the price of the wristbands is decreasing. They’re now going for about SR10, according to different shops.
“The wristbands have become more of a fashion statement than anything else,” a Tahlia Mall shopkeeper told Arab News. “This is why sales are doing so well here.”
As for the financial statement, it’s pretty certain that the charitable contribution is off the balance sheet.
“Personally, I do not know where the charity money goes,” said Mohammed Al-Sagga, the owner of a small stand at Tahlia Mall. “If I knew it was being donated to Muslims in need, for example, I would definitely want to sell them, but since I do not know, I would rather sell the bracelets as a fashion statement.” Al-Sagga said he wished charity began at home. “Unfortunately, the local charity organizations are not manufacturing these bracelets,” he said. “If they were, then I would definitely like to provide them in my shop for customers.”
