How Parramatta Eels legend Peter Wynn survived COVID-19 lockdown

Gym wear, weights, skipping ropes and shoes flew off the shelves during COVID-19 lockdown but something different is topping the list of most wanted items at Peter Wynn’s famous sport shop.

Peter Wynn said there is growing interest in anything “blue and gold” at his shop.

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Former Parramatta Eels star Peter Wynn is living proof you can teach an old dog new tricks.

The well-known Parramatta personality has emerged from the worst of the COVID-19 shutdown battered and bruised from the experience but with his business still intact.

“We suffered 80-90 per cent downturn. It was savage. I’ve never saw anything like it before,” Wynn said.

‘’No school sport, club, NRL. That’s a big part of my business and it turned to next to zero.”

Wynn said he set up his sporting store Peter Wynn’s Score on eBay in April, giving him a vital additional avenue to sell through.

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“We had to adapt and began focusing on everyday items as these were most in demand online. Our biggest spikes were in footwear and shorts as people were still exercising at home or outdoors,” he said.

Peter Wynn, Steve Mortimer and Steve Roach, 35 years after the Blues most famous Origin victory at the SCG when the iconic photos were take of Mortimer being chaired off. Pic: Tim Hunter.

“Expanding our channels during this uncertain time has been a great help. eBay sales are already strong and I see it as a key part of our business strategy going forward. eBay has the reach so there’s a huge opportunity long-term.’’

Wynn said he has learned much from the experience.

“It opened my eyes to what is out there digitally,’’ he said.

“I can’t just go back to standing at the till waiting for people to pay me. We have to investigate and use these other avenues. “

Now with restrictions easing and following the return of the NRL competition, Wynn said anything “blue and gold” is in demand.

Peter Wynn at his shop.

“Parramatta Eels gear is leading the way,” he said.

“Parra won their first two games of the season and it just kept flowing on.

“We dropped 80-90 per cent but it still ticked over. Sales do reflect how a team is going.

“We stock all 16 teams but Para, Souths, St George, West Tigers, the Roosters and Bulldogs are our strong teams.”

Wynn is hoping the return of community sport will also see an increase in business.

“We got impacted hugely through no school sport, weekend sport. All my stock arrived in February in anticipation of the season,’’ he said.

“It whacked us between the eyes. It is slowly starting to come back.

“I think people are sitting back and waiting for the green light to go.’