---
title: "Provision of branded merchandise for onsite shop"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM"
published: "2025-10-20"
---

# Provision of branded merchandise for onsite shop

Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e

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## Summary

The University of Birmingham has concluded an award process for procuring branded merchandise for its onsite shop in Birmingham. This award, finalised on 20th October 2025, involves the direct appointment of Infinity Incorporated Limited as the supplier. The procurement falls under the industry category of "Information and promotion products" and is conducted through a direct award method due to urgent operational needs. The contract period extends from 31st October 2025 to 18th August 2027, ensuring the immediate restoration and availability of University-branded merchandise following the unexpected closure of the previous operator. This decision enables seamless continued service while maintaining brand integrity and enhancing student experience.

This procurement presents opportunities for businesses to align with high-profile institutions, such as universities, providing branded goods that reinforce strong institutional identities. Businesses that specialise in quickly delivering approved merchandise in alignment with branding guidelines would be well-suited to this type of tender. It also highlights opportunities for firms that can supply high-quality promotional items swiftly and reliably, an attractive proposition for buyers needing to mitigate service disruptions urgently.

## Notice

Infinity was the approved supplier for branded merchandise for the University's on-campus gift shop, which was operated externally by Unique. Infinity also operated the online merchandise store, with fulfilment of online orders managed by Unique. All merchandise supplied by Infinity to Unique was approved by the University's brand team, with under signed Heads of Terms for use of branding valid until July 2027. Following Unique's unexpected liquidation last week, both the physical gift shop and the online store ceased operations immediately. This has resulted in a complete halt in the availability of official University merchandise, which is considered as negatively impacting the student experience and posing a risk to brand reputation. To mitigate this disruption, the University is implementing a contingency plan to bring all aspect of the gift shop including merchandise operations in-house. To ensure continuity and maintain brand integrity, immediate access to branded stock is required - stock that aligns with previously approved designs and possibly stock items acquired from the liquidator. Infinity is uniquely positioned to supply this merchandise without delay, given their existing approvals, familiarity with our brand standards and arrangements that were in place for the University Campus. Conducting a full competitive tender at this stage would introduce a significant delay, during which the University would remain unable to offer official merchandise. This direct award until the expiry of the Heads of Terms enables the University to restore both physical and online merchandise availability within 10-14 days, ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding the University's brand presence and integrity.

### Procurement Information

Infinity was the approved supplier for branded merchandise for the University's on-campus gift shop, which was operated externally by Unique. Infinity also operated the online merchandise store, with fulfilment of online orders managed by Unique. All merchandise supplied by Infinity to Unique was approved by the University's brand team, with under signed Heads of Terms for use of branding valid until July 2027. Following Unique's unexpected liquidation last week, both the physical gift shop and the online store ceased operations immediately. This has resulted in a complete halt in the availability of official University merchandise, which is considered as negatively impacting the student experience and posing a risk to brand reputation. To mitigate this disruption, the University is implementing a contingency plan to bring all aspect of the gift shop including merchandise operations in-house. To ensure continuity and maintain brand integrity, immediate access to branded stock is required - stock that aligns with previously approved designs and possibly stock items acquired from the liquidator. Infinity is uniquely positioned to supply this merchandise without delay, given their existing approvals, familiarity with our brand standards and arrangements that were in place for the University Campus. Conducting a full competitive tender at this stage would introduce a significant delay, during which the University would remain unable to offer official merchandise. This direct award until the expiry of the Heads of Terms enables the University to restore both physical and online merchandise availability within 10-14 days, ensuring continuity of service and safeguarding the University's brand presence and integrity.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066651-2025 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Oct 2025 |
| Contract period | 31 Oct 2025 - 18 Aug 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £350,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B15 2TT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Edgbaston |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Edgbaston |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | INFINITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

### Codes

- 39294100 - Information and promotion products

## Release History

- 20 Oct 2025 at 10:58 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066651-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066651-2025
  20th October 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
- https://www.infinityinconline.co.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cf9e.json.