On November 12, the 71st anniversary of the founding of the German army, the Bundeswehr’s official online store launched. Shortly after launch, the site became unavailable due to a surge of visitors. Users wishing to enter the store were subsequently directed to a virtual queue.
According to a spokesperson for Germany’s Ministry of Defence, at peak demand more than one million users were simultaneously trying to access the site. One of the souvenirs, a rubber duck in camouflage, sold out on the very first day, reports t-online.
What the Bundeswehr Store Sells
The range includes T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, caps, backpacks, mugs, bottles, towels, flashlights, and tools. The core of the assortment consists of items priced under €25. The duck with a helmet, protective goggles, and a toy rifle costs €9.99. The store announced it is working on restocking.
Another souvenir is a plush teddy bear in a camouflage hoodie for €29.99. Its release for sale is scheduled for late February. From each purchase, €5 will be transferred to the Bundeswehr-Sozialwerk organization, which supports military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Who Runs the Store
Previously, souvenirs bearing Bundeswehr insignia were mostly given away at open days and job fairs. They can now be ordered online with delivery across Germany and abroad. The site is available in German and English.
The store is operated by Sympathie-Werbe-Service GmbH, which won an open tender and obtained a license to use the insignia. The Bundeswehr announced that it does not receive any revenue from sales. The clothing and accessories from the store are intended for everyday use outside of service uniform.
