Category Archives: Retail

Britain’s Best Small Shops 2020 adds new category for retailers innovating amid COVID-19

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The Independent Retailers’ Confederation, a group of multi-sector trade organisations representing over 100,000 indie retailers throughout the UK, has announced a special category in its search to find Britain’s Best Small Shop of 2020.

The Best Small Shops Competition relaunches post lockdown on Independents’ Day, Saturday 4th July, celebrating the return of Indie Retail to UK high streets and shopping parades. In a new award category for its annual search, judges will be seeking entries from independents that are demonstrating innovation to combat the impact of COVID-19.

“It is widely recognised just how challenging it has been for many independent retailers during the months of Covid-19 lockdown – those who have had to close their doors and those considered essential who were able to trade throughout,” said Mark Walmsley, chair of the IRC.

“The pandemic has not only brought about challenges such as reduced income but also extensive complexities resulting in the evident need for re-invention.

“We have witnessed and continue to see extraordinary examples of innovation and ingenuity in being able to adapt a business to continue trading in some form. This is unsurprising, given the agility and commitment of independent retailers to their local communities and, in this extraordinary year, it is something we are determined to recognise and celebrate.”

The annual competition highlights the best of Britain’s independent retail sector, celebrating the commitment and creativity of independent retailers and the central role they play in their local communities.

Previous winners have included Bristol-based delicatessen Papadeli, the 2019 winner, and The Mainstreet Trading Company, a combined bookshop, café, deli and homeware shop based in St Boswells, in the rural Scottish Borders, which won in 2018.

“Despite the challenging retail environment, there is bountiful evidence that people value and believe it is important to support their local independent retailers,” added Walmsley. “These shops are at the heart of communities up and down the country, offering a meeting place, not to mention choice, diversity, innovation and genuine customer service.”

Entries for all award categories in this year’s competition close on September 11th. For more information about the Best Small Shops competition, click here: bestsmallshops.uk

Simon’s Cat slinks into Lidl with new pet product range

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The hit animated brand Simon’s Cat has partnered with the leading European retailer, Lidl, for a branded range of pet products, including scratchers and beds for cats. Owned by the global content creator, Endemol Shine Group, the Simon’s Cat brand boasts a fanbase of some 7 million Facebook fans, 2 million Instagram followers, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

The latest partnership sees Simon’s Cat branded products launch in Lidl stores this summer in the US and across 16 territories in Europe. Products include a scratcher and bed for cats, each in three different colours. The deal also features a bespoke piece of animation created by the Simon’s Cat team exclusively for Lidl.

The deal was negotiated by Simon’s Cat’s German licensing agent Lizenzweft.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group, said: “Lidl has a fantastic reach across Europe and in the US and we expect Simon’s Cat merchandise to be a very popular with their customers. These products are the ideal way for fans to bring their love for the cheeky cat into their own home and share the joy with their own pet.”

Simon’s Cat features the antics of a mischievous white cat and his long-suffering owner Simon and was created by award-winning illustrator, animator and director Simon Tofield. First seen on YouTube in 2008, the Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. There have been more than 80 million digital sticker downloads and in excess of 18 million mobile gaming downloads with further titles in development.

The last year alone saw the launch of the Baby Simon’s Cat campaign and the sell-out success with its first range of Teespring plushies; a brand new book Simon’s Cat It’s a Dog’s Life which brings everyone’s favourite feline back to the page, with a canine twist; the rollout of the hit mobile game Simon’s Cat Dash in China; and continued international growth with further agent appointments in the Nordics and CEE, and Southeast Asia.

Cloudco Entertainment and Irregular Choice launch 34-piece Care Bears accessories collection

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Cloudco Entertainment, the owner of the iconic entertainment brand Care Bears, has teamed with the online retailer Irregular Choice to launch a collection of Care Bears-inspired accessories. The collection features new styles that showcase each of the Care Bears’ individual personality.

The 34-piece collection highlights the Care Bears’ belly badge powers and spreads messages of sharing, caring, friendship and courage to all. Each style is filled with intricate details featuring the vintage art style, including rainbows, plushie stars, sparkling gems and memorable colour combinations.

“Irregular Choice has always been about spreading joy, playing with colour and having fun, so skipping through Care-A-Lot – a world filled with rainbows, fluffy clouds and cute, cuddly bears -was a perfect fit for the brand. We had so much fun creating this Care Bears collection and can’t wait to share it with the world,” said Sally Glover, international brand and marketing manager at Irregular Choice.

Roubina Tchoboian, vice president of international licensing at Cloudco Entertainment, added: “We are thrilled to be launching another accessories collaboration with Irregular Choice. Their creative approach brings the Care Bears to life in such a fun and unique way that we know our fans will love.”

Cloudco Entertainment, formerly American Greetings Entertainment, is the owner for iconic entertainment brands such as Care Bears, Holly Hobbie, Madballs, Packages from Planet X, Twisted Whiskers, Buddy Thunderstruck, Tinpo and its newest IP, Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese.

Cloudco Entertainment develops multi-platform entertainment franchises across all media channels and extensive consumer merchandising programs that immerse children and adults in brands they love. The brand is represented by Bulldog Licensing here in the UK.

Chefclub teams with DoohYouLike to create the Culinary Advertising Agency in France

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Foodie brand, Chefclub has teamed up with DoohYouLike to offer customers a new omnichannel experience that mixes videos of creative recipes with synchronised multi-broadcasting on social media as well as on screen in store. The partnership is to roll out across France under the name the Culinary Advertising Agency.

This new joint venture combines the talent of the Chefclub unit and its expertise in culinary videos, and the might of DoohYouLike, a team that has a media presence in more than 550 grocery stores in France.

The new culinary advertising service offers food and beverage brands an ‘innovative, turnkey solution’ that includes the creation, production, and broadcast of cooking videos by Chefclub on social media featuring the advertiser’s product, as well as simultaneous broadcast in small-size grocery stores via DoohYouLike screens.

Chefclub is the world’s leading producer of cooking videos broadcasted on social media with over one billion views and 80 million followers worldwide. In France, Chefclub has a community of 8.6 million people and generates more than 200 million views per month.

Meanwhile, DoohYouLike offers a network of more than 550 DOOH screens displayed in more than 350 small size grocery stores located mostly in city centres in France.

This new offering comes at the right time to provide advertisers an authentic voice during the customer’s shopping journey, in line with consumers’ new lifestyles.

Marie-Laure Marchand, director of licensing and business development, Chefclub, said: “Conviviality, fun, and creativity are at the origin of Chefclub, it seemed natural for us to join forces with DoohYouLike to create an original and ad-hoc media proposal for brands looking for closeness and authenticity.

“We are excited about this partnership that will allow advertisers to explore new ways to reach out to consumers directly in-store and on social media.”

Fabrice Guez, co-founder, DoohYouLike, added: “We are very proud of this alliance because our respective media shares common values, to bring useful and entertaining content to everyday life, always in a complicit and authentic approach to cultivate a close relationship.

“The recipe video format takes on its full meaning in the world of grocery stores, allowing food brands to become part of consumers’ daily lives in a native and entertaining way.

“The synergy of our universes provides an all-inclusive strategic lever, designed for both the branding and the performance of food brands, because in addition to the highly qualitative and viral dimension provided by the Chefclub expertise, the DoohYouLike solution allows brands to maximize sales and optimize in-store referencing. We are very excited to support the new habits of the French people, for whom cooking has become second nature.”

 

The Entertainer expands international operations with first store in the Far East

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Multi-platform toy shop, The Entertainer is growing its international footprint once more, this time with the launch of its first outlet in the Far East. In partnership with Kim Jin Joo Bhd, the retailer has set foot down in Malaysia’s own Sunway Pyramid.

This is the latest move to cement the ongoing expansion for the UK’s largest chain of toy stores. The Malaysian group has said that this maiden store will be joined by two other outlets by the end of this year.

Group chairman Pang Kim Hin said the opening of the outlet marks a new milestone for the company as part of its strategy to diversify into the toys sector and complement its existing maternity and baby product retail business.

“We are of the view that the introduction of The Entertainer outlets in Malaysia will contribute to an increase of sales over the coming two to three years as it fulfills a niche for toys catering to children of toddler age up to 12 years old,” he said in a statement today.

Previously, Kim Hin Joo’s existing market reach and product offerings was mainly catered to children up to six years of age, but with the outlet chain it is able to widen its retail offerings to include older children, particularly those in the six to 12 years age bracket.

In regards to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the group is also taking measures to ensure that its business will remain sustainable as well as the necessary steps to mitigate the impact from the outbreak.

Pang said that no one could predict the pandemic’s impact on the retail industry, especially for businesses that have primarily brick-and-mortar presence.

“However, we foresee a recovery in our sales in our retail outlets in line with the reopening of shopping malls operating at regular hours, and a gradual increase of foot traffic in shopping malls over the coming months,” he said.

UK shopping centre owner Intu says it’s on the verge of appointing administrators

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The UK shopping centre owner, Intu has indicated it is on the verge of appointing administrators after discussions with its creditors were stalled.

The struggling business had been hamstrung by a $4.5bn debt over the past year, but in recent weeks and months has been hammered by the impact of COVID-19 and the significantly lower rent payments from retail tenants.

Sky News reports that should Intu fall into administration, it would arguably mark the biggest corporate casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. Intu is the owner of shopping centres across the country, including Manchester’s Trafford Centre and Lakeside in Essex.

The company directly employs nearly 3,000 people, with a further 102,000 people working in its 17 UK shopping centres. Another 30,000 people work in Intu’s broader supply chain.

The firm has said it had been in talks with creditors to try and seek standstill arrangements, but that “unfortunately, insufficient alignment and agreement has been achieved on such terms. The board is therefore considering the position of Intu with a view to protecting the interests of its stakeholders.”

British cycling brand Le Col launches new collection with Eurosport amid growth in UK engagement

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The premium British cycling brand, Le Col has partnered with the European home of cycling, Eurosport to launch a new Le Col x Eurosport collection that draws on the colours, sights and sounds of the pr-peloton and buzz of a race day atmosphere.

Consisting of a jersey, gilet and bib shorts, and available in both men and women’s cuts, the collection is equipped with Le Col’s renowned Italian fabrics and fit that helps riders push themselves faster and further.

Late last year, Le Col, announced it had been chosen as the technical kit partner for Bahrain McLaren the brand’s first time supplying its expertise at the World Tour level. Le Col has also been partners with Eurosport since 2018, supplying branded shirts to Eurosport presenters and commentators for the season.

Le Col founder and former GB pro rider, Yanto Barker, said: “We are thrilled to launch this collaboration with Eurosport and further support our cycling audience with this special kit. When I was a young pro, watching some of the most iconic cycling races on Eurosport helped inspire my career, so it’s been a pleasure to design this performance orientated core collection with them.”

The launch arrives at a time in which British cycling is seeing some its biggest numbers in terms of consumer engagement. According to data from GlobalData, 1.3 million UK consumers have now bought a bike since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

“As much of the UK works from home – 51.0 per cent of the working population in early June – consumers have saved on travel costs and many have found themselves with more time to exercise and no gym open to visit, making a new bike an appealing option,” said Sofie Willmott, lead analyst at GlobalData.

Retailers have benefited from the surge in demand, with 21.7 per cent buying their bike from Halfords, boosting the retailer’s overall performance, followed by 15.4 per cent purchasing from Evans.

Willmott added: “Although the bike market will see a spike in demand this year boosted by the lockdown, there is further opportunity for retailers to benefit in the future as current bike owners may choose to upgrade now they have reignited their interest in cycling. In addition, with 72.4% of current home workers expecting to do so more often post-crisis, there will be stark changes to pre-COVID commuting habits with public transport likely to remain unappealing and many consumers turning to bikes for some journeys.”

The Point. 1888 brings Barratt’s iconic sweet brands to the frozen aisle

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The Point. 1888 has struck up a sweet new partnership between Barratt and Icefresh Foods to launch a new range of ice creams exclusively for the supermarket chain, Iceland.

The new range will draw on Barratt’s portfolio of iconic confectionery, including Black Jack, Fruit Salad, and Wham, to bring it all to the frozen aisle for the first time in the company’s history. The range will launch exclusively in Iceland stores across the UK from April 20th.

The line-up will be completed with Flump Ice Cream Lollies, and Dip Dab Ice Lollies with a Sachet of Sherbet.

All items in the range – apart from the Wham share size tub – will be sold as multipacks of four or six and the Dip Dab range will include a sachet of sherbet for dipping.

“We always knew that the Barratt brands would be hugely popular among manufacturers and retailers alike but this partnership between Barratt, Icefresh Foods and Iceland is a match made in heaven,” said Bethan Garton, commercial director, The Point.1888.

“We’ve worked with Icefresh for years and have enjoyed great success on every program but the work its team has put into the product development and flavour profile matching for Barratt has been like nothing else we have seen before. It’s also throwing its full support behind the brand with the product launch and we’re so excited that the range is now ready for the nation to enjoy.”

Emoji partners with Brazilian chocolatier Top Cau for Easter promotion

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Emoji The Iconic Brand and Top Lotus has partnered with Brazil’s market leader in chocolate confectionery, Top Cau for a new Emoji sticker giveaway campaign in the run up to Easter.

Top Cau is known for its chocolate products including eggs with a surprise, tablets, and snacks. The firm brings a wealth of experience to the brand, developing unique and innovative products that stand out at retail.

As Brazil makes its Easter preparations, the retailer Lojas Americanas is busy preparing the world’s biggest Easter celebration, selling 80gm D’elicce chocolate eggs with one of the six collectable Emoji stickers inside, as well as a 160gm chocolate egg with an Emoji Zzz lamp.

“For the emoji company, it is a great pleasure to be part of this important moment for children and adults, through this amazing partnership with Lojas Americanas and its own brand D’elicce,” said Marco Hüsges, CEO and founder of The Emoji Company.

Babybel lands t-shirt design on Boohoo.com courtesy of Bioworld

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Babybel has made the leap from the fridge and into the wardrobe, thanks to a new apparel licensing partnership with the online retailer, Boohoo.com.

The t-shirt range has been developed by the brand’s apparel licensee, Bioworld, and has been made exclusively for the online fashion retailer. It features the iconic red Babybel logo emblazoned on the black t-shirt, licensed by Bel Licensing in a deal brokered by Pink Key Licensing.

Babybel is joined in a unique portfolio of food brands to make moves on the wider licensing space, including the likes of The Laughing Cow.

Richard Pink of Pink Key Licensing, said: “We are delighted to see our first piece of apparel in the market, we love Bioworld’s really strong design and we are looking forward to seeing more for Babybel and Laughing Cow in the market soon.”

The Babybel licensed t-shirt is currently retailing at £12 on Boohoo.com.