Adidas has canned a glitzy ``Black is beautiful'' party to celebrate the All Blacks in the wake of the Rugby World Cup jersey price row.
The global sports giant cancelled the party at Britomart in downtown Auckland tonight, to which hundreds of people including sports stars and celebrities had been invited,
blaming ``serious customer issues''.
Adidas New Zealand manager David Huggett apologised to fans for the distraction the furore over the price of the jerseys had caused but managing director for the Pacific Greg Kerr said the price would not change.
He said the company had no control over the suggested retail price and pricing had not changed for three years.
Commenting on the party cancellation, Mr Kerr said: ``We believe it is appropriate that we focus our attention on dealing with these business issues.''
The decision ``in no way lessens our passionate support for New Zealand rugby and sport in New Zealand at every level''.
Yesterday Prime Minister John Key waded into the row, advising adidas if they were in a hole they should ``stop digging''.
He said New Zealanders were offended the jerseys could be bought cheaper through the internet than in New Zealand but Mr Huggett said one reason it was cheaper online was because of the fluctuating Kiwi dollar.
The company said there had been some ``brand damage'' and crisis talks were due today with Rebel Sport one of the country's largest sports retailers.
Rebel Sport owner Rod Duke had criticised adidas pricing and began the move to lower jersey prices, selling them at a loss.
The price of the World Cup replica jersey has been dropped by $50 to $170 and price of the standard All Blacks replica jersey dropped by $30 to $149.50 although prices were still cheaper online.
Yesterday the New Zealand Rugby Union said it supported adidas.
Chief executive Steve Tew said the brand might have been damaged but he would stick by adidas ``through thick and thin''.
Sales of the replica jerseys have soared since the Rebel price cut which was matched by other retailers including Stirling Sports and Champions of the World.
