Books-A-Million (aka BAM!) plans to expand its 257-store retail presence (second highest of any book retailer in the U.S.) by opening 30 new stores this year; Three months after announcing its intention to get out of canada, Target Canada completed inventory liquidation and closed the last of its 133 retail stores on April 12; According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, … [Read more...] about Retail Notes
Articles
Smell of Success
A pair of world famous celebrities are celebrating 10 years of fruitful fragrance licensing collaborations with the release of special 10th anniversary limited edition products that are both currently available: Instinct gold edition celebrates the tin anniversary of instinct, a collaboration between David Beckham (XIX Entertainment) and licensee Coty that has sold over 10 … [Read more...] about Smell of Success
Grumpy Cat Grows Her Brand
Digital celebrity Grumpy Cat continues to ride the cyber wave by making new license agreements with Dynamite Comics for a new comic book series to launch later in 2016, a kids’ activity app (Playrific) scheduled for the summer, and a gift line (Bay Northwest) for specialty shops in the Pacific Northwest. … [Read more...] about Grumpy Cat Grows Her Brand
New Channel for Chanel
Bowing to the inevitable, Chanel announced that it will begin engaging in e-commerce probably by the end of 2016. The move includes three of the Métier d’Art companies owned by Chanel’s Paraffection subsidiary, including glove-maker Causse, milliner Maison Michel and cashmere house Barrie Knitwear, all of which will sell online on separate e-commerce sites. It’s not a shift in … [Read more...] about New Channel for Chanel
Court Nixes Lawsuit Over NFL’s Photo License
A group of photographers sued the NFL claiming that its exclusive licensing deal with the AP and Getty Images allowing the League to use stock images royalty-free are an illegal throttling of competition. But the New York federal court disagreed and dismissed the case. The exclusive deals didn’t reduce output of licensed NFL photos on the market or raise prices for consumers, … [Read more...] about Court Nixes Lawsuit Over NFL’s Photo License
Minions Go Mobile
The Minions are multiplying. A new partnership between video game maker Electronic Arts, Minions producer Illumination Entertainment and Universal Partnerships & Licensing will bring the quirky yellow creatures and other characters from upcoming illumination films to mobile games, beginning with Minions Paradise. The game will be free to download beginning this summer, … [Read more...] about Minions Go Mobile
Jessica Simpson Brand Sold to Sequentia;
Sequential Brands Group has agreed to acquire a majority interest in the Jessica Simpson Collection brand, including master license rights, from Camuto Group. Although the price has not been disclosed, you can bet that it is significantly higher than the $15 million the late Vince Camuto paid for the master license in 2005. Camuto built Jessica Simpson into a $1 billion brand … [Read more...] about Jessica Simpson Brand Sold to Sequentia;
Who’s News
Ron Garfield is leaving Sony Pictures Television to become the executive vice president and general manager of FremantleMedia North America’s new Buzzr TV digital network, which is scheduled to launch in 17 markets this summer.Anna Kislevitz is appointed Senior Manager Licensing and Merchandising for 41 Entertainment where she will work with key brands like Classic PAC-Man plus … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Mass Retail Fashion Licensing Targets Men
Very quietly and with little fanfare, mass retailer Target launched Target Collective, a curated collection of Americanmade men's fashion products from six different designers: Billykirk (bags and accessories); Owen & Fred (soap and accessories); Taylor Stitch (casual wear); Duluth Pack (bags); Locally Grown (T-shirts and hats); and Terrapin Stationers (note cards). The … [Read more...] about Mass Retail Fashion Licensing Targets Men
Martha Goes to the Dogs
Martha Stewart Living Omnipedia released a new line of natural dog treats exclusively at Petsmart. The Martha Stewart Pets Treat shop line is available in five flavors and was supposedly inspired by the biscuits the duchess of the domestic makes for her own pooches. … [Read more...] about Martha Goes to the Dogs