Category Archives: Retail

Star Editions launches online shop for CoComelon and Blippi in Moonbug partnership

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The personalised giftware specialist, Star Editions has opened an e-shop for CoComelon and Blippi, featuring exclusive products and an extensive range of toys, games, and customisable gifts for the globally popular preschool IPs.

The launch of the online store is part of Star Editions’ ongoing licensing partnership with Moonbug Entertainment Ltd. It has seen the licensee create a bespoke online shopping destination for fans, all under Moonbug branding. Products available include personalised art prints, mugs, apparel, homeware and stationery, as well as toy ranges from Bandai and Jazwares.

Will Marston, CEO, Star Editions Ltd, said: “Working with the Moonbug team and The Point.1888 has been a blast. We have wanted to bring our take on both Blippi and CoComelon to the UK for a while now and I am thrilled to say that we have achieved that goal this year.

“We are thoroughly delighted with the launch of https://moonbug.shop and more importantly, so are the parents of the children who just adore these brands. Loads more planned before Q4 for this shop from new properties as well as new products, so stay tuned.”

Ryan Gorman, head of global retail, Moonbug Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled to be working with market leaders Star Editions, and excited that Moonbug fans now have a stunning new range of giftware that can be easily personalised for an even more special gift.”

https://moonbug.shop is now live.

Just Play launches Early Learning Centre development platform on its Amazon Brand store

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The award-winning UK preschool brand, Early Learning Centre is embarking on a new initiative for the US market with the launch of a raft of new products and concepts exclusively through its Amazon brand store.

The project is being overseen by the brand’s US distributor and licensor, Just Play and will see new initiatives offering developmental content and experiences for families with children launch to the new Learning Activity Centre, part of Early Learning Centre’s Amazon brand store.

The platform will feature extensive resources for parents looking to support their child’s learning an development, including award-winning products, engaging curriculum-driven activities, and expert advice.

To design the Learning Activity Centre, Just Play has worked with specialists to produce a selection of activities that supplement children’s learning across core categories such as physical development, mathematics, personal, social, and emotional development, and communication, language, and literacy. The portal will feature development icons that will help parents navigate and choose products that best support their child.

The platform will draw on Early Learning Centre’s 50 year heritage in creating innovative preschool toys. The Early Learning Centre line, presented by Just Play on Amazon, has been designed to celebrate and expand that heritage with learning toys that tap into key developmental stages.

“Children are at the heart of everything we do,” said David Martin, CEO of Early Learning Centre. “Using our ‘knowledge of developmental play,’ we thoughtfully design unique and timeless preschool toys for all ages and stages that can be passed down from generation to generation.”

Geoffrey Greenberg, co-president of Just Play, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Early Learning Centre on the creation of the Learning Activity Centre on Amazon, which we expect will be a valuable tool for parents and caregivers as they search for products and activities that are the best fit for their children.”

Just Play aims to unveil an Ambassador Program this fall to coincide with the launch of several new Early Learning Centre preschool toys that encourage playful exploration of skills including counting, spelling and color recognition for children from 18 months to 5 years old.

Games Workshop sees full-year profits spike 69 per cent as staff receive £5k bonuses

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A big spike in profit over the last year, confirmed plans to expand in China, and a bonus of £5,000 to each member of staff compound another successful end of year for the UK-based tabletop gaming brand, Games Workshop.

In its trading update issued this week, the tabletop figures retailer confirmed that each of its around 2,600 staff will receive £5000 in shares under its profit-share scheme following a profits spike at the company of 69 per cent to hit £151 million.

The share bonuses, issued to staff in May this year, are in total worth £12 million, marking a £10 million increase on the £2 million awards given to staff in the previous year. Meanwhile, senior executives will share an extra £1.1 million bonus pot, marking a £300,00 increase on the year before.

Games Workshop has been at the forefront of a surge in demand for tabletop gaming and RPG gaming over the last few years. While it was forced to close its 523 stores during lockdowns due to the pandemic, its online engagement, online events, and online sales helped buoy the company through the tough trading period.

As a result of consumer demand for escapism during the pandemic’s various lockdowns, and the retained audience that had turned to the hobby sector for entertainment, Games Workshop has seen its full-year pre-tax profit rise 69 per cent to nearly £151 million, while revenue came in at £353 million.

With another successful year under its belt, the retail brand has begun eyeing international expansion, detailing its plans to roll out hundreds of products across China, following delays at the border.

Chief executive, Kevin Rountree said that while China and Japan are ‘not significant contributors’ to the company’s performance yet, the firm ‘remains focused on sharing our passion for Warhammer to more people in these countries as well as the rest of Asia.’

The Pokémon Company is taking over Harrods’ toy floor in 25th anniversary celebrations

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The Pokémon Company International is taking over Harrods’ toy floor for a month-long activity built to celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary this year.

From July 27th, Pokémon fans will find themselves immersed in a distinctive branded area in the iconic London department store, featuring digital screens and displays themed with 24 Pokémon characters from all eight of its regions, along with – of course – Pikachu.

Themed activities will enhance the experience through a range of Pokémon product across toys, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, stationery, and accessories.

Alongside toys from Jazwares distributed by Character Options, including popular lines Pokémon Carry Case Playset, My Partner Eevee and Snooze Action Snorlax, fans can find lamps from Teknofun, bespoke prints from GB EYE, collectables from Wand Company and bags, backpacks and wallets from Difuzed.

As well as the latest Pokémon TCG expansion, Shining Fates, fans can discover the unique board game Pokémon TCG Battle Academy.

Mathieu Galante, licensing director (EMEA) for The Pokémon Company International, said: “As consumers return to shops, we wanted to provide an uplifting Pokémon experience to thrill and excite Pokémon’s many fans of all ages, so we are delighted to be returning to Harrods’ iconic store for a special 25th anniversary pop-up.

“Our previous collaborations have been hugely successful, and we hope that Pokémon fans old and new find something to inspire them over the coming month.”

The pop-up continues the collaboration between Pokémon and Harrods following two previous month-long promotions at the store: in May 2019 to promote the launch of the hit live-action movie POKÉMON Detective Pikachu, and in February last year for the launch of the latest video games, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, which became the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch titles ever.

Geek Retreat moves into Dumfries and stays on track to open 60 stores by end of 2021

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The geek culture retailer, Geek Retreat, is continuing on its ambitious plans for the UK with the successful launch of its new store in Dumfries, bringing its total numbers of shops around the country to 28.

Situated on Church Crescent and providing five local jobs, the new Geek Retreat store – a geek culture retailers, gaming cafe, and events space rolled into one – aims to offer a safe and friendly environment ‘where people can gather and enjoy shared interests.’

The retailer aims to provide for all fanbases within the geek culture community, from Marvel and Magic the Gathering to Yu-Gi-Oh, Warhammer, and Pokemon, as well as traditional board games. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a full menu with vegetarian, vegan, and kids’ options all developed in partnership with the food service firm, Booker.

The Geek Retreat has previously outlined the importance it places on providing an inclusive, welcoming, and social environment for its more vulnerable customers such as those with autism or with mental health issues. The retailer has a national partnership with the National Autistic Society, while the Dumfries store locally supports The D&G Queerier, LIFT D&G, and Dumfries Gamers.

Samuel Glendinning, franchise owner at Geek Retreat Dumfries, said: “We are excited to have opened our doors and be bringing something new and different to the Dumfries Town center and to the local community. A safe and inclusive place to play, relax, have fun and make friends, where they can share their love of all things geeky from anime and manga to trading card games such as Pokemon and Magic:The Gathering.”

Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, added: “The opening of the unique Geek Retreat store and café in Dumfries is great news. The store proposes to offer a safe, friendly environment where people can come and enjoy their shared gaming interests as well as traditional board games.

“It is also extremely welcome that Geek Retreat provides an inclusive, welcoming, and social environment for more vulnerable customers, like those with autistic spectrum or with mental health or anxiety issues. Geek Retreat has a national partnership with the National Autistic Society, and locally supports The D&G Queerier, LIFT D&G and Dumfries Gamers.

“I have no doubt that Geek Retreat will be an invaluable asset to Dumfries and I encourage all with gaming interests to pop in and see what it has to offer. I am looking forward to going along for myself in August.”

Geek Retreat is now on track to open 60 of its planned 100 new stores on high streets by the end of 2021, creating 360 jobs around the UK.  The franchise is on track to meet its previously announced target of a total of 100 new stores in 2022.

Its growth is echoed by the increasing popularity of boardgames, card trading and tabletop games which make up an industry worth £8 billion in the UK and is predicted to grow by 3.1 per cent annually over the next three years.

Peter Dobson, chief executive of Geek Retreat, said: “The success of the Dumfries store is another step in the growth of the Geek Retreat franchise. The Geek Retreat proposition and unique culture has proved particularly resilient during the pandemic and has shown us how important it is for people to have a safe please to visit and to share their interests with friends as part of a community.”

All stores commit to a COVID-19 secure environment, with strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place, to give customers extra piece of mind that they can visit in confidence.

China Shipping Crisis | Toy retailer The Entertainer is urging consumers to get their Christmas shopping early

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With shipping from China reaching a crisis point that has seen costs skyrocket to all time highs amid a shortage of containers within the global supply chain, the UK’s independent toy retailer, The Entertainer is making its message to the consumer clear.

Costs, shortages, and delays have hamstrung companies across the industries worldwide in recent months, and analysts suggest that the crisis is likely to continue into 2023, with rumbles of legal redress against shipping companies, and allegations of ‘cartel action regarding freight rates’ thrown in.

And while the world reels from the activity – brought on by a pandemic that saw shipping ports operating at reduced staff levels, causing delays on shipments, coupled with a buying boom from consumers spending online – the high street toy retailer The Entertainer is urging its customers to complete their Christmas shopping early once again this year, in order to avoid disappointment.

The call echoes those made by the retailer at the mid point of 2020, when online shopping surged in the midst of lockdowns and restrictions. Now, however, with all remaining restrictions due to be lifted across England by next week and as The Entertainer encourages families to make Christmas 2021 ‘better than ever’, it issues the warning to get those orders in early, as the toy industry navigates its latest logistical headache.

Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman of The Entertainment issued the call out to shoppers this week.

“There are lots of brands that we’re excited about for Christmas 2021, including PAW Patrol, following the movie this summer, and CoComelon, Super Mario, LOL Surprise, Barbie, and Bluey,” he said.

“But the shipping crisis in China is causing uncertainty as to what will be available and when. So above all, we urge our customers to shop early for Christmas this year to avoid disappointment.”

Earlier this month, the vice president of the Taiwanese branch of DB Schenker, a major player in supply chain management and logistics solutions said that global shipping reliability was at an ‘historic low.’

Antoine Bouin of Schenker Taiwan, said: “Empty container shortages are worsened by port congestion in Europe and the US, and recently, by China’s Yantian port backlog. Port congestion, berthing delays, flow imbalances and the slow return of empty containers have caused shipping lines to skip some of their regular trips and pushed global shipping reliability to an historic low.”

China Shipping Crisis | Toy retailer The Entertainer is urging consumers to get their Christmas shopping early

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With shipping from China reaching a crisis point that has seen costs skyrocket to all time highs amid a shortage of containers within the global supply chain, the UK’s independent toy retailer, The Entertainer is making its message to the consumer clear.

Costs, shortages, and delays have hamstrung companies across the industries worldwide in recent months, and analysts suggest that the crisis is likely to continue into 2023, with rumbles of legal redress against shipping companies, and allegations of ‘cartel action regarding freight rates’ thrown in.

And while the world reels from the activity – brought on by a pandemic that saw shipping ports operating at reduced staff levels, causing delays on shipments, coupled with a buying boom from consumers spending online – the high street toy retailer The Entertainer is urging its customers to complete their Christmas shopping early once again this year, in order to avoid disappointment.

The call echoes those made by the retailer at the mid point of 2020, when online shopping surged in the midst of lockdowns and restrictions. Now, however, with all remaining restrictions due to be lifted across England by next week and as The Entertainer encourages families to make Christmas 2021 ‘better than ever’, it issues the warning to get those orders in early, as the toy industry navigates its latest logistical headache.

Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman of The Entertainment issued the call out to shoppers this week.

“There are lots of brands that we’re excited about for Christmas 2021, including PAW Patrol, following the movie this summer, and CoComelon, Super Mario, LOL Surprise, Barbie, and Bluey,” he said.

“But the shipping crisis in China is causing uncertainty as to what will be available and when. So above all, we urge our customers to shop early for Christmas this year to avoid disappointment.”

Earlier this month, the vice president of the Taiwanese branch of DB Schenker, a major player in supply chain management and logistics solutions said that global shipping reliability was at an ‘historic low.’

Antoine Bouin of Schenker Taiwan, said: “Empty container shortages are worsened by port congestion in Europe and the US, and recently, by China’s Yantian port backlog. Port congestion, berthing delays, flow imbalances and the slow return of empty containers have caused shipping lines to skip some of their regular trips and pushed global shipping reliability to an historic low.”

Footfall tipped to rise almost 20 per cent as shoppers hit high streets this ‘Freedom Day’ week

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Retail footfall is predicted to rise by 19.7 per cent this week, as shoppers take to high streets and towns now free of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions with face coverings and social distancing no longer mandatory in England.

In the latest from the retail analysts, Springboard, footfall is tipped to peak throughout the first weekend of ‘freedom’, with expected rises of 32.2 per cent on Friday, July 23 and 39.5 per cent on Saturday, July 24.

While the removal of restrictions in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will not be as comprehensive as in England, the fact that footfall in England accounts for around 85 per cent of all footfall in the UK will drive an uplift in overall shopper activity.

The degree of the increase in footfall is expected to differ across the three key retail destination types. The removal of remaining restrictions on the hospitality sector including restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs, will help the high street to a 25 per cent footfall increase, Springboard predicts.

This will be followed by an 18 per cent increase in footfall at Shopping Centres, while retail parks are tipped to see the lowest increases, at 10 per cent.

The anticipated uplift following Phase 3 of the government’s easing of restrictions is forecast to be significantly greater than the one per cent observed when indoor hospitality reopened in May this year.

The current good weather also has a role to play in the increases, as does Freedom Day’s coincidence with the start of the school holidays and the number of Brits choosing to summer holiday within the UK this year.

Diane Wehrle, Springboard insights director, said: “The long awaited Freedom Day on Monday will see footfall bounce back across the UK, to a more significant magnitude than when indoor hospitality reopened in May, with rises seen across all three retail destinations.

“With summer holiday commencing and many opting for a Summer Staycation in the UK, footfall will continue to rise throughout JUly and into August as many look to enjoy the good weather.”

‘Freedom Day’ hasn’t, however, been welcomed by all with many leaders in the retail space calling for public caution and consideration when shopping, including the use of facemasks in shops and taking their own measures on social distancing.

Footfall tipped to rise almost 20 per cent as shoppers hit high streets this ‘Freedom Day’ week

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Retail footfall is predicted to rise by 19.7 per cent this week, as shoppers take to high streets and towns now free of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions with face coverings and social distancing no longer mandatory in England.

In the latest from the retail analysts, Springboard, footfall is tipped to peak throughout the first weekend of ‘freedom’, with expected rises of 32.2 per cent on Friday, July 23 and 39.5 per cent on Saturday, July 24.

While the removal of restrictions in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will not be as comprehensive as in England, the fact that footfall in England accounts for around 85 per cent of all footfall in the UK will drive an uplift in overall shopper activity.

The degree of the increase in footfall is expected to differ across the three key retail destination types. The removal of remaining restrictions on the hospitality sector including restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs, will help the high street to a 25 per cent footfall increase, Springboard predicts.

This will be followed by an 18 per cent increase in footfall at Shopping Centres, while retail parks are tipped to see the lowest increases, at 10 per cent.

The anticipated uplift following Phase 3 of the government’s easing of restrictions is forecast to be significantly greater than the one per cent observed when indoor hospitality reopened in May this year.

The current good weather also has a role to play in the increases, as does Freedom Day’s coincidence with the start of the school holidays and the number of Brits choosing to summer holiday within the UK this year.

Diane Wehrle, Springboard insights director, said: “The long awaited Freedom Day on Monday will see footfall bounce back across the UK, to a more significant magnitude than when indoor hospitality reopened in May, with rises seen across all three retail destinations.

“With summer holiday commencing and many opting for a Summer Staycation in the UK, footfall will continue to rise throughout JUly and into August as many look to enjoy the good weather.”

‘Freedom Day’ hasn’t, however, been welcomed by all with many leaders in the retail space calling for public caution and consideration when shopping, including the use of facemasks in shops and taking their own measures on social distancing.

Phat Kandi joins curated Japan-inspired line up as HMV marks 100 years with pop culture store launches

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The British alternative fashion brand, Phat Kandi, has been selected as one of the chosen few independent labels to supply HMV as it marks its 100th year in retail with the launch of ten new pop culture stores across the UK.

The initiative will see HMV launch a raft of specially curated stores offering the latest in kawaii or Japanese pop culture inspired products, all of which will be supplied by independent and up and coming brands. Product collections will range from fashion and accessories to imported Japanese foods and more.

The running theme throughout the curated collection housed within these ten new locations will be the essence of pop culture today.

Established in 2019 by its creative director, Mel Williams, Phat Kandi has been developed a brand aimed at ‘bitter sweet misfits,’ an audience she describes as ‘the dreamers, the rule breakers, and the overlooked,’ as a place where they can ‘feel at home.’ With a love of  all things Japanese, and inspired by the fashion tribes of Harajuku, Mel created a brand combining her distinctive hand writing, illustrations and her fashion design experience.

“I’m super happy to be part of HMVs exciting new pop culture concept stores. We’re a perfect fit for their customers who want something alternative to the norm. Concept stores like this are well over due for the UK high street, consumers are screaming out for freshness, new offerings and up and coming brands which is what HMV are delivering,” said Mel.

“I’m looking forward to growing with the HMV tribe, as well as adding new categories to our fashion range.”

Phat Kandi have also landed two US stockists: Hot Topic, Dolls Kill, EMP ( Europe) as well as a licensee partnership across sportswear during what Williams has described as a “very exciting time for Phat Kandi.”

“Even through a pandemic we’ve managed to survive and grow, and we’re only just warming up. My vision for Phat Kandi is to become a global brand, the go to place for alternative products, then open our own concept stores in London, Japan and LA,” she continued. “I totally believe the vision will become a reality one day.”

The first HMV store under the new initiative is now open in Solihull offering Phat Kandi limited edition fashion pieces such as tees and bucket hats. Nine more concept stores will be opening across the UK each month from September.