Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in ‘potential rescue talks’ with Debenhams

Retail tycoon Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is in talks over a ‘potential rescue transaction’ for the British department store Debenhams. The brand fell into administration last week, putting some 12,000 jobs at risk.

Frasers has said that it was ‘in negotiations with the administrators of Debenhams’ UK business’ on a possible deal, but it has warned that time is short for the retail brand.

In a stock market statement, it said: “Whilst Frasers Group hopes that a rescue package can be put in place and jobs saved, time is short and the position is further complicated by the recent administration of the Arcadia group, Debenhams’ biggest concession holder.

“There is no certainty that any transaction will take place, particularly if discussions cannot be concluded swiftly.”

Details of the talks were first disclosed over the weekend by The Sunday Times.

Finance director Chris Wootton reportedly said that under the deal, Frasers would “hope to be able to save as many jobs as possible.”

Debenhams announced that it was to wind down its business and close all 124 stores after JD Sports ended discussions over a rescue deal for the struggling department store chain. Talks ended between the two companies following the collapse of Arcadia Group.

The sports chain was the only remaining bidder for the company, but with the news of the collapse of Arcadia Group last week – the biggest concession stand operator across Debenhams stores – so too came the decision of JD Sports to terminate its talks of a takeover.

Debenhams slid into insolvency in April this year and has been on the search for a buyer since the summer. Without a buyer, the business faces going into liquidation or being wound down. This spring saw Debenhams axe 6,500 jobs. Its current predicament puts a further 12,000 at risk.

The Oddbods are coming to a fish and chip shop near you, thanks to Keco Ltd partnership

The cast of the popular animated pre-school series, Oddbods, will be coming to a fish and chip shop near you.

The content creation and licensing studio, One Animation, has secured a new partnership with the packaging manufacturer Keco Ltd to the launch of bespoke, sustainable, and responsibly sourced children’s meal boxes inspired by the animated pre-school series, Oddbods.

Launching this month, the premium takeaway meal boxes will be available at 7,000 fish and chip shops across the UK and will feature an Oddbods pop-out character for children to play with. The boxes will be plastic free and use only FSC sustainably sourced paperboard.

Rob Spindley, SVP commercial development USA and EMEA, One Animation, said: “As we continue to extend the global footprint of Oddbods, bringing sustainable and plastic free products to the market is very important to us. We are very much looking forward to working with the team at Keco Ltd to create an engaging and fun meal time experience in an environmentally responsible way.”

Jamie Kearns, managing director at Keco Ltd, added: “Keco is excited to be working with One Animation to showcase the globally renowned series, Oddbods. Children throughout the UK and Ireland will be able to engage with the characters as they invent their own storylines or recreate scenes from this much-loved, Emmy Award-nominated animated series.

“These takeaway branded meal boxes will perfectly capture Oddbods and children will enjoy assembling and playing with their favourite characters, safe in the knowledge that all materials used are both plastic free and sustainably sourced.”

Oddbods is a three-time Emmy Award-nominated, non-dialogue comedy featuring seven adorable, highly unique pals. Together, despite their differences, they survive the perils of everyday life, unintentionally turning ordinary situations into unexpected, extraordinary and always humorous events.

The quirky but charming Oddbods celebrate individuality in a funny, warm and unexpected way. Oddbods’ innovative app Oddbods Oddlife, designed with facial recognition technology to help kids learn healthy habits, has recently been nominated for a Kidscreen Award in the Best Game App – Original category.

Debenhams to close all 124 stores as JD Sports rescue talks are terminated

Debenhams is to wind down the business and close all 124 stores after JD Sports ended discussions over a rescue deal for the struggling department store chain. Rescue talks ended between the two companies following the collapse of Arcadia Group yesterday afternoon. The latest developments now puts 12,000 high street retail jobs at risk.

The sports chain was the only remaining bidder for the company, but with the news of the collapse of Arcadia Group yesterday – the biggest concession stand operator across Debenhams stores – so too has come the decision of JD Sports to terminate its talks of a takeover.

In a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange, the company said: “JD Sports Fashion, the leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, confirms that discussions with the administrators of Debenhams regarding a potential acquisition of the UK business have now been terminated.”

Debenhams slid into insolvency in April this year and has been on the search for a buyer since the summer. Without a buyer, the business faces going into liquidation or being wound down. This spring saw Debenhams axe 6,500 jobs. This morning’s news now puts a further 12,000 at risk.

Geoff Rowley of FRP Advisory, the joint administrator to Debenhams, said: “All reasonable steps were taken to complete a transaction that would secure the future of Debenhams. However, the economic landscape is extremely challenging and, coupled with the uncertainty facing the UK retail industry, a viable deal could not be reached.

“The decision to move forward with a closure programme has been carefully assessed and, while we remain hopeful that alternative proposals for the business may yet be received, we deeply regret that circumstances force us to commence this course of action.”

Debenhams’s former chairman Sir Ian Cheshire said that the business had been caught out with too many high street outlets on long rental leases.

“You’ve got to be so much faster and so much more online,” he said.

It comes as some 13,000 staff of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group face an anxious wait following the business collapsing into administration. The high street giant, which includes the Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands, has hired Deloitte to handle the next steps after the pandemic “severely impacted” sales across its brands.

Ian Grabiner, chief executive of Arcadia, said: “This is an incredibly sad day for all of our colleagues as well as our suppliers and our many other stakeholders … in the face of the most difficult trading conditions we have ever experienced, the obstacles we encountered were far too severe.”

Local shops will be able to trade 24/7 over Christmas and January to recoup lockdown losses

The government is to allow local shops to trade around the clock in a move to support the retail industry and its bid to recoup some of the losses it has suffered during the pandemic, a cabinet minister has said.

Communities secretary, Robert Jenrick has said he wanted to remove the bureaucracy involved in enabling retailers to trade beyond the hours of 9am to 7pm, and is “issuing an unambiguous request to councils to allow businesses to do so.”

Retailers normally have to go through a lengthy and time-consuming process to apply to local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act if they wish to extend their trading hours. However, in light of the sweeping closures across the country at the hands of the coronavirus and restrictions, the government is ready to remove the barriers and allow shops to open for up to 24 hours a day in December and January.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: “With these changes local shops can open longer, ensuring more pleasant and safer shopping with less pressure on public transport.

“How long will be a matter of choice for the shopkeepers and at the discretion of the council, but I suggest we offer these hard pressed entrepreneurs and businesses the greatest possible flexibility this festive season.

“As Local Government Secretary I am relaxing planning restrictions and issuing an unambiguous request to councils to allow businesses to welcome us into their glowing stores late into the evening and beyond.”

Recent research from the Local Data Company has revealed that a record number of shops closed during the first half of 2020 due to the coronavirus lockdown. The Retail Gazette reports that a total of 11,000 chain operator outlets shut between January and August this year, while around 5,000 shops opened. The net decline of 6,000 is almost double the drop during the same period last year.

Classic greetings brand Holly Hobbie secures Truffle Shuffle deal through Bulldog Licensing

Truffle Shuffle has been confirmed as the latest retail partner for the vintage Holly Hobbie brand and a recently launched collection that spans limited edition t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags all based on the classic greetings card characters of the 1960s.

Illustrated by the artist of the same name, the Holly Hobbie property was originaly introduced in 1967 when the American author sold artwork of the rag dress-wearing little girl to American Greetings. The distinctive characters become popular and the first licensed product came to market in 1975, in the form of rag dolls from Knickerbocker Toys.

The property quickly moved in crafts, apparel, lifestyle, publishing, stationery, dinnerware, home goods and more. As a brand, Holly Hobbie has since generated over $1bn in retail sales.

Bulldog Licensing is now managing the rights for the brand in the UK and Eire and is building a programme around the classic artwork targeting adults, as well as a live-action, music-driven children’s programme, based on the hugely popular new show on CBBC soon to be in production on its third season. 

As well as adding Holly Hobbie to its roster, Truffle Shuffle has also renewed its deal for another of Cloudco Entertainment’s generation-spanning brands, the Care Bears.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, said: “We’re thrilled to have Truffle Shuffle on board for Holly Hobbie as we build a licensing programme for this much-loved brand. They have already done a fabulous job with the Care Bears collection, and we are delighted with the new lines for Holly Hobbie. The brand has beautiful artwork, an instantly recognisable design, and huge vintage appeal for today’s audience.”

The Rolling Stones launch virtual RS No.9 Carnaby store for social-distancing shoppers

The Rolling Stones have followed up on the launch of the band – and brand’s – world first flagship store in London’s Soho, with the introduction of a new, global e-commerce shop featuring virtual experiences that allow customers to shop ‘inside the store’ from anywhere in the world.

The launch has been designed for those that can’t currently get to the Carnaby Street store in person. Once a shopper enters the virtual RS No. 9 Carnaby store, they can select from the products on offer as the experience takes them on a ‘seamless user journey’ over the store’s two floors.

They will then be able to shop the new fashion forward autumn/winter collection for men and women, which is infleunced by workwear and also showcases the athleisure trend. Childrenswear, accessories and Christmas baubles complete the offer.

The immersive 360° website shines a light on the artistic history of the physical store location on Carnaby Street and shares insider anecdotes about the architecture and design features. Created in partnership with the Rolling Stones and Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company, the new online store specializes in fashion and accessories.

The store is also tapping into the Black Friday sale this year, offering UK customers a rare opportunity to get 20 per cent off purchases over £50. 

John Habbouch, GM and CFO, Bravado, said: “We are excited to be able to take the brand new RS No. 9 Carnaby store to the world and to allow customers and fans to shop the collection from the comfort of their own homes through an immersive and unique online experience of this exciting retail space.”

Rise in shoppers planning to stay local this year, as “support for indies has never been so important”

With the Prime Minister’s confirmation that all non-essential shops will be able to reopen across England when the nation-wide lockdown lifts on December 2nd playing like music to many a retailer’s ears amid the essential Christmas shopping period, independent toy shops are rallying the message that ‘shopping local has never been so important.’

A still self-isolating Boris Johnson made the announcement to the House of Commons via a video link yesterday afternoon, confirming that retailers who have been deemed ‘non-essential’ will be able to open their doors to Christmas shoppers in time to meet the crucial golden quarter sales. The PM stated that as the lockdown lifts, a stricter and more stringent three-tier system will be put into place across the country.

The confirmation has arrived as a note of assurance to an independent toy retail scene who had – widely speaking – felt ‘stitched up’ by the numerous loopholes that others had managed to negotiate in order to remain open under the ‘essential retail’ banner, and subsequently capitalise on the current demand for toys and games. It was a general mood that provoked the British Toy and Hobby Association to pen an open letter to Number 10 imploring Johnson to offer assurances to the trade.

Yesterday’s confirmation has been welcomed by bodies such as the British Retail Consortium and independent retailers across the country, who see the move as a silver lining as they prepare now for the all important Christmas shopping season. However, there’s no illusion that it will be an easy ride, and more than ever, they say, it is important to promote the message of #shoplocal.

Small Stuff, an award-winning, independent eco-conscious children’s lifestyle store and community space was invited on to Times Radio as Johnson made the announcement to talk about what this now means for the country’s independent retail scene.

In a tweet posted last night, the retailer stated: “Positive news that we can reopen on the 2nd Dec. We will be opening safely with plenty of measures in place. The message of #shoplocal has never been so important – support us if you can.”

A new research paper created by Visa in partnership with the Centre for Economic and Business Research, however, suggests that the mountain retailers now face this quarter, may not be quite so treacherous after all. The socio-economic paper nopw suggests that as many as four in five Brits plan to support local businesses as much, or more than, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The research – launched alongside Visa’s Where You Shop Matters Christmas campaign (one that champions Britain’s local, independent businesses for a third consecutive year) – suggests that 54 per cent of British consumers plan to do some of their Christmas locally this year, whether that is online or in store. Three in five consumers are concerned that independent businesses will not survive if their local community does not back them through this time.

Visa and CEBR go on to state that for every £10 spent with local businesses, more than a third stays within the local area. When it comes to customer intentions this Christmas, Brits currently spend just over one fifth of their money locally, but will be willing to spend half with local independents this year.

What’s clear is that the impact of the pandemic this year has given rise to the ‘altruistic customer’, a term coined by BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson in reference to the shopper who intends to spend more with local retailers this year in show of support of the community.

At the same time, she stated, it has ‘accelerated the importance of “social purpose” of the retailer.

Speaking on the latest developments and the announcement of shops reopening on December 2nd, Dickinson said: “Shops – from high streets to retail parks – play an integral role in the run-up to Christmas.

“While retailers have stepped up their online delivery over the course of 2020, the bulk of Christmas shopping tends to be done in store. The Government’s decision to keep all of retail open will help to preserve jobs and the economy and help keep Christmas a festive occasion for everyone.”

 

Funko’s Loungefly brand sees sales surge and global growth of 25 per cent

While it’s true enough that the world’s pandemic crisis saw some of the biggest forms of live entertainment hit the pause button for the best part of the year, the likes of Disney’s portfolio of theme parks that draw all manner of pop culture enthusiasts year on year, the desire among fans to buy into their favourite brands hasn’t been diminished.

At Loungefly, the lifestyle and gifting division of the pop culture specialist, Funko, 2020 has seen sales ‘go through the roof.’ The business has told Licensing.biz that it has seen a massive surge in numbers of sales, amid a 25 per cent global growth of its branded products portfolio, proof that the pandemic hasn’t dampened the world’s culture of fandom.

Global sales at Loungefly are now estimated to generate up to $100,000,000 by 2021, while Truffle Shuffle, one of the company’s key retailers in the lifestyle space, has confirmed that it now manages to sell somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 Loungefly bags per month on average.

Head of softlines, Funko EMEA, Rich Smith

“Sales this year have been incredible, and growth has exceeded expectations, with all things considered,” Rich Smith, head of softlines, Funko EMEA, told Licensing.biz. “We have seen huge success behind some of the Disney properties which are not as mainstream, such as Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Pixar’s Wall:E. Our evergreen properties such as Mickey, Star Wars, and Disney Princess have also continued to serve us well too.”

It’s according to Smith that demand in the pop culture lifestyle space this year has, in part, been fuelled by an unsatisfied itch among the fandom space; one that has been exacerbated by the closure of events and destinations like theme parks or conventions throughout the year. As a result, the scene’s audience of fans have taken to engaging with their favourite brands via other means.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the gigantic fanbase who normally save up and visit the Disney Parks haven’t been able to and have therefore spent the money they would normally spend at the parks on product from retailers across Europe and Loungefly,” said Smith.

“Loungefly opens Funko up to a different customer base and vice versa for Loungefly. So many of the fans are wanting to get more product that ties into their collections. The beauty of the Funko umbrella is that you can buy a Marvel backpack, a Marvel t-shirt, a Marvel mug, a Marvel keyring, a Marvel advent calendar, and so forth, all under one roof, with consistent imagery: the perfect collection.”

Among the best-selling items within the Loungefly portfolio this year, it has been the mini backpack range that has stood out as its leading line. Across this range – and akin to its collectables business – Funko’s Loungefly works with a broad licensing portfolio that spans the likes of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Warner Bros, DC, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hello Kitty, Pusheen, MTV, Clueless, and beyond.

“Loungefly is unique as we are a brand who collaborates with some of the world’s most loved licenses,” continued Smith. “We will continue to grow our offering and will continue to add more licenses to our already strong portfolio. We like to look for a license with an impeccable following, and who fits within our brand goals. They also, of course, need to appeal to our fanbase, who we listen to – a lot.”

Like the rest of the waking world, this year has seen Loungefly witness its biggest consumer trend within the online shopping space, and currently boasts a network of retailers 90 per cent made up of purely online players.

“To build on this from here, we will continue to push growth across the EMEA region with some key retail partners, as well as continue to expand our offering on our very own online store,” said Smith.

“Look out for a ton of new exclusives in 2021.”

Early Learning Centre partners with Poetic Brands for baby, children’s wear and accessories

The Early Learning Centre brand is expanding into baby, children’s wear and accessories, thanks to a new licensing partnership with the clothing specialist, Poetic Brands. The partnership has been brokered by the Early Learning Centre’s licensing agency, Riverside Brands.

The new ELC collection will incorporate baby and children’s wear products, including baby layette fashion, as well as accessories such as baby changing bags and slings in the baby collection. In the children’s category, Poetic Brands will launch children’s daywear, as well as accessories including luggage, beach towels and bags, and flip flops.

Having traded in a number of guises since 1974, the Early Learning Centre has become a destination retailer for expectant mothers, new parents and beyond. Currently owned by The Entertainer, ELC operates both online and within The Entertainer stores with a vision to support parents with their child’s early years learning and development through play.

Anne Bradford, director, Poetic Brands, said: “When we heard about the opportunity of establishing ELC as an apparel collection, we jumped at the chance to come on board and work with Ash [founder of Riverside Brands] and The Entertainer on this project.

“In the initial year of setting up the business it has been so important to us to look for new opportunities to the market and the ELC brand absolutely ticks this box. Our team has a huge amount of experience across both baby and toddler and they are looking forward to creating a unique apparel collection at retail.”

Ashley Holman, MD, Riverside Brands, added: “We have had a fantastic initial response to the Early Learning Centre licensing opportunity since announcing it a few months ago and it is really exciting to be partnering with Poetic Brands, as they really understood the vision we have for the brand from the outset. We are confident this will be the start of a very successful partnership for all involved.”

The Pokémon Company marks first Zavvi partnership with new capsule collection for the online retailer

The Pokémon Company International is partnering with the online retailer Zavvi to launch a special European Pokémon capsule collection across adult apparel, footwear and accessories.

Launching on November 30th, the collection marks the first collaboration between the two, with a range that comprises 19 items including sweatshirts, T-shirts and hoodies featuring iconic images from a selection of the original 151 Pokémon.

Fan favourites such as Pikachu, Squirtle, Jigglypuff and Bulbasaur adorn the range, which mixes black and white tonal designs with bright pops of colour. Prices range from £20 – £60 or €22 – €67 and the collection is available exclusively online at Zavvi.com.

Strong support for the launch includes a Zavvi homepage takeover, influencer gifting, a social media campaign and a marketing push with a dedicated photoshoot.

Mathieu Galante, licensing director EMEA at The Pokémon Company International, said: “We are delighted to team up with Zavvi. As the home of pop culture, they are an ideal partner as we continue to expand Pokémon fashion into the online space. This stylish and distinctive new collection further builds Pokémon’s status as a real fashion favourite with a widespread and enduring appeal.”

Pokémon’s collaboration with Zavvi is the latest in a string of sought-after capsule collections with partners ranging from high-street giants H&M, Zara, Bershka and Uniqlo to adidas, Original Stitch and leading designers including GCDS, Jeremy Scott and Bobby Abley.

Further recent Pokémon activity includes the launch of The Crown Tundra, the second expansion for the hugely successful video games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, and the release of the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Vivid Voltage.

In 2021, Pokémon marks its 25th anniversary, which will be a continual celebration of the iconic and evergreen brand throughout the year.