Zavvi launches limited edition, exclusive Pokémon Explorer clothing and accessories collection

The UK online retailer, Zavvi has partnered with the Pokémon Company International to launch an exclusive, limited edition and fully licensed Pokémon Explorer clothing collection. The new range takes inspiration from the anime IP and the ‘sense of adventure’ felt when players explore the outdoors with Pokémon GO.

Designed as an ode to Pokémon GO’s enduring effect on audiences across the world, the Zavvi Pokémon Explorer range is targeted at avid wanderers, and is billed as ‘perfect for trainers setting off into the wildlands of their region to find coveted Pokémon.’

According to the team at Zavvi, the range ‘draws inspiration from the simplicity of the outdoors,’ combining natural and earthy tones with ‘utility themed garments’ emblazoned with some of the most iconic Pokémon characters. T-shirts, hoodies, and military style jackets in the collection feature the likes of Bulbasaur, Charmander, Evee, Snorlax, and Pikachu.

The partnership will also see the launch of a limited edition selection of accessories, including a cap, bucket hat, and a backpack featuring a woven Pikachu Scouts-inspired patch, ‘perfect for venturing out into the wilderness.’

There will also be two limited-edition Zavvi x Pokémon handcrafted canvas high-top designs, featuring Charizard soaring over a mountainous landscape on a white background.

The new merchandise will be available to purchase from 12pm on 25 August 2021, exclusive to Zavvi.com.

Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir passes $1bn in retail sales ahead of new movie

ZAG’s Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir has surpassed $1bn in worldwide retail sales, a major new milestone for both the property and the team behind it who has this week detailed a new roster of US licensees for the brand.

The news arrives in the lead up to the release of the $100m theatrical feature film based on the Miraculous IP, and follows the roll out of Season Four of the animated series created by ZAG and co-produced with ON kids and family.

“Since launching the Miraculous™ – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir brand at retail, Miraculous branded merchandise from over 300 licensing partners is currently available at major retailers and online in virtually every territory around the world across multiple categories,” commented Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG.

“We are grateful for the support of our content partners, licensees and retailers around the globe, and of course our millions of fans who have embraced the adventures of our heroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir. We have more exciting escapades yet to come and I can’t wait to share the news of an upcoming series that is sure to be embraced by our Miraculous fans.”

With continued demand for the Miraculous brand in the North American market, ZAG has signed over 50 new licensees in the past 12 months. Newly signed publishing agreements include Little Bee (Activity Formats) and Bendon (Color and Activity).  For fashion and accessories, new partners include HER (hair accessories and jewelry), Jacmel (jewelry), Accutime (watches and clocks), Jerry Leigh of California (girls’ apparel), SG Companies (seasonal footwear), and Heys International (luggage).

For activities, partners include TCG (puzzle and games), Horizon (craft & activity), Lil’ Anglers (fishing gear), What Kids Want (outdoor and seasonal), and Toy Factory (amusement plush). Food and beverage partners include Crunch Pak (healthy snacking), Good to Grow (beverages), Ferrara (fruit snacks), Zak! Designs (hydration, food storage, tabletop), and Kernels (popcorn, Canada).

Additional partners include ASO (wound care and first aid); and SmileMakers (stickers for medical field). In Canada, Danawares is on board for accessories. The new deals come on the heels of the recently signed global deals with Swatch’s Flik Flak and Epopia, who join long-standing partners Ferrero and PEZ.

In spring 2021, ZAG introduced a new Miraculous toy line from ZAG Lab and Playmates in the US on the e-commerce platforms of Walmart, Target and Kohls, selling-out within just a few hours. This autumn, brick and mortar stores will be carrying the toy line.

Other products hitting retail shelves in the U.S. this year include leveled readers and chapter books from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR), a division of the Hachette Book Group, costumes and accessories for wholesale retailers from InSpirit Designs, bedding from Jay Franco; underwear from Handcraft Manufacturing; and Bentex Apparel Group for sportswear, tees and sleepwear.

Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is available in over 120 territories across the globe.

Toys R Us is planning a major return to the US in Macy’s shop in shop partnership

Toys R Us is preparing for its latest reincarnation, this time through a major new partnership to launch shop within shop concessions in more than 400 Macy’s stores across the United States.

Revealed earlier this week, Macy’s Inc has teamed up with WHP Global to bring the Macy’s and Toys R Us brands together, delivering an expansive assortment of toys and games both online via macys.com/toysrus as well as in Macy’s more than 400 stores across America.

The shop within shop Toys R Us concept will roll out nationwide in 2022.

“As a Toys”R”Us kid, I could not be more excited to bring this beloved brand that so many of our customers know and love into Macy’s online and to our stores across America,” said Nata Dvir, Macy’s chief merchandising officer.

“Our toy business grew exponentially in the past year, with many families looking to inspire their children’s imagination and create meaningful moments together. Toys”R”Us is a globally recognized leader in children’s toys and our partnership allows Macy’s to significantly expand our footprint in that category, while creating more occasions for customers to shop with us across their lifestyles.”

The Toys”R”Us experience at macys.com/toysrus lets shoppers search for products by age, toy type, character and brand. From perennial favorite toy cars and dolls to STEM-inspired products for creative learners, Macy’s expanded assortment of the most popular items, including products that highlight inclusivity, discovery and learning, will offer something for every parent and child.

Powered by Macy’s, ToysRUs.com will look to serve as the dedicated authority for all things toys and play, with immersive content that aims to connect consumers to the toy offering at macys.com.

Within Toys“R”Us shop-in-shops rolling out to more than 400 Macy’s stores nationwide in 2022, customers will be welcomed by Geoffrey the Giraffe before discovering and playing across dedicated sections by age, interest and category, with interactive experiences, activation centers and iconic elements throughout.

Yehuda Shmidman, chairman and CEO of WHP Global and Toys“R”Us, commented: “Our partnership with Macy’s marks the greatly anticipated return of Toys”R”Us in the USA, and changes the retail landscape by combining two beloved retail brands together for consumers across the nation in a completely innovative way. We’re thrilled to be launching this new partnership together with Macy’s.”

Founded by Charles Lazarus, Toys”R”Us became one of the world’s best loved toy stores and a globally recognised household name in the toy category. Today, Toys”R”Us has a vibrant business that generates more than $2 billion in global retail sales annually through nearly 900 branded global stores outside the US and e-commerce businesses in more than 25 countries.

Five new faces join The Point. 1888’s expanding commercial, retail, product, and finance teams

The momentum continues to gather apace at the brand extension agency, The Point. 1888 as a swathe of new starters sees the company expand across its commercial, retail, product development, and finance departments this month.

The latest line-up of new faces to join the team follows the company’s latest sweep of appointments that saw it bolster its marketing division for Story.1888 only this month. In its latest recruitment drive, The Point. 1888 has brought in five new faces in order to support its increasing client base and product development programme.

Rosanna Cousins, who has several years’ of retail buyer experience at John Lewis and Harrods, has joined as The Point.1888’s newest retail manager. She will report to head of retail and sport, Hannah Stevens, to support the division as it prepares for a busy year ahead.

Sophie Fennessy has joined the team as senior PD executive and will be working within the fast-paced product development division, putting to use her vast licensee experience gathered at previous employer Poetic Brands. Meanwhile, Naomi Serradimigni – previously of the ambassador marketing platform, Brandbassador –  has joined as The Point.1888’s new senior commercial executive with a focus on health and beauty categories.

Max Pilcher, the agency’s newest commercial executive, joins from ViacomCBS and will report into senior commercial manager of soft goods, Becky Langer, to support work across the portfolio and assisting with sub-agents in Italy and Iberia, while finally, Mia Wakeling, joins as finance assistant to work in the agency’s busy finance department.

Despite the pandemic’s best efforts, The Point.1888 has welcomed 11 new clients and this growth in the agency and its client book made the decision to recruit once more an easy one.

Bethan Garton, commercial director at The Point.1888, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for us as we expand the licensing arm of our agency, continuing the growth we have seen in recent years. Bringing Rosanna, Sophie, Naomi, Max and Mia to the commercial and brand teams at The Point.1888 allows us to continue the fantastic work we do with Moonbug, Rachel Ellen and all of our other brands, whilst still attracting new clients.”

Will Stewart, managing director of The Point.1888, added: “I am incredibly excited to welcome Rosanna, Sophie, Max, Mia and Naomi to Team.1888 family. Our amazing book of clients and our high profile within the industry mean we have no shortage of talent to choose from when new roles are created and I’m confident that we’ve picked the very best.

“Their energy and enthusiasm as well as the diverse experience they bring will undoubtedly give our team the support it needs to continue our growth.”

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

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

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.

Smiley secures multi-territory accessories deal with fashion specialist Concept One

A new raft of Smiley themed accessories will be heading to the UK next year, thanks to a recently signed partnership between the iconic lifestyle brand, Smiley and the children’s and adult fashion specialist, Concept One.

Arriving just ahead of Smiley’s 50th anniversary, the Concept One collection will span headwear, cold weather accessories, wallets, handbags, and more. The range will be made available across five territories, these being the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and Australia. The range is scheduled to launch from Spring 2022.

“This partnership is a great opportunity for us and we are very excited to start working with Concept One,” said Alex Ruiz, senior partnership manager USA at Smiley.

Founded in 1972 by Franklin Loufrani, Smiley is heading into its 50th anniversary celebration next year when it will mark five decades of recognition as a counter-culture icon. Over its half a century, Smiley has become a lifestyle brand synonymous with the pursuit of happiness, with a consumer products and licensing portfolio that spans textiles, puzzles, party goods, stationery, car accessories, and toys for licensed brand partners and retailers.

Concept One now joins a growing roster of licensing partners for the brand as it continues to spread its message on the global stage.

TikTok launches real life experience with Westfield shopping centre pop up

TikTok stars and influencers are offering coaching sessions on how to create social media content as the UK’s first TikTok pop-up venue opens its doors to fans as Westfield shopping centre in West London.

The venue allows fans to interact with social media stars who have found success via the TikTok app as they try to create their own mini-films with coaching sessions from influencers charged at £5 a session.

The pop-up venue will be open until August 8th and takes inspiration from TikTok’s homepage which highlights trending clips. 

Influencers on the roster include British teenager Kyle Thomas, comedian Ehiz Ufuah, chef Poppy O’Toole, and freestyle footballers Jeremy Lynch and Ben Black. Their sessions will explain how to make content for TikTok, while parents will be able to learn how to keep teenagers safe on the platform.

The venue will also feature several rooms to provide different backdrops for visitors to film their own content, including a kitchen which will showcase viral recipes and cook-offs. A dressing room will host beauty, fashion, and transformation challenges.

Attendees of the event will be given exclusive TikTok merchandise.

Harita Shah, marketing director for UK events at Westfield’s parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: “TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s where many of our visitors are getting their inspiration from, whether that’s fashion trends, the newest home styling, influencer or foodie fads.

“Having a physical space at Westfield London gives TikTok the chance to immerse shoppers and new creators in full 360 experience where the best of the online platform merges with a real life experience.”

LEGO has revamped its ‘retail entertainment’ with New York City flagship LEGO Store

The LEGO Group has opened the doors of an immersive new LEGO Store in New York City, setting up shop in a two-storey location on Fifth Avenue as the first flagship store to feature new retail formats.

Elements of the innovative new store will be introduced to more than 100 stores worldwide in the coming year, the toy maker has stated, as it highlights a new format designed to ‘create an immersive world of LEGO bricks’ by blending digital and physical experiences.

The New York City flagship has been developed as part of the company’s strategy to innovate its stores in line with consumer demands for more personalised and interactive retail offerings, as well as recognition of the role that brick and mortar stores play in strengthening connections with the brand, despite the surge in online shopping.

Colette Burke, chief commercial officer at The LEGO Group, said: “For a number of years we’ve seen the trend towards people visiting stores for high-quality, entertaining brand experiences. Over the past year our fans have missed personal and tactile interactions with the brand and we can’t wait to welcome them back.”

The LEGO Group spent two years developing the new retail concept and researching what shoppers and children want from a LEGO store visit. They found that people were keen for more opportunities to play with bricks, participate in brick-inspired activities, personalise their experience and have fun.

As a result, LEGO has unveiled a suite of impactful features in the New York City Store, including an experience that immerses people and their LEGO builds in a virtual world. Called Brick Lab, the in-store technology brings walls, floors, and ceiling to life with light, sound, and music for an interactive build and play experience.

Meanwhile, an interactive Tree of Discovery is made from 880,000 LEGO elements and acts as the store’s centrepiece. It stands as ‘an expression of the LEGO Group’s commitment to being inclusive and having a positive impact on society and the planet.’

An interactive Storytelling Table has been designed with adult fans of LEGO in mind, enabling them to bring the stories behind sets available in store to life. It shows early product designs and prototypes, lifts the lid on the development process and allow fans to virtually ‘meet’ the LEGO designers.

The store’s Personalisation Studio invites visitors to make a memento of their visit. In it, they can reimagine themselves in LEGO form, either as a portrait from the Mosaic Maker or a Minifigure from the LEGO Minifigure Factory.

Elsewhere, with LEGO Expression, visitors can have fun with LEGO Minifigures who mimic their facial expressions, while the new Fifth Avenue store will also include larger than life builds of icons of the city, such as a taxicab to sit in, an Empire State Buyilding and One World Trade skyscraper, the lights and billboards of Broadway and Time Square, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Thor, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, and Captain America, and the Ghostbusters Firehouse and crew.

The new store format has been designed to be flexible so that it can work in LEGO stores of all sizes, as well as in third-party retail partners’ stores. It will be introduced to over 100 LEGO stores around the world during the coming year, as well as select global partner retailers.

The LEGO Group currently has around 731  branded stores in 50 countries around the world and plans to open 120 new stores during 2021. In addition to investing in brick and mortar, the LEGO Group will continue to invest in building its e-commerce capabilities.

In 2020, the number of visitors to its LEGO.com online store doubled to a quarter of a billion and this growth has continued in 2021.

Colette said: “We’re seeing significant growth across e-commerce channels, but we also understand the distinct and important role that each of our retail channels plays in building the brand. We will continue to invest in innovating across all our channels to create compelling experiences online, in-store and with our retail partners.”

Check it out

The Brick Lab

Designed exclusively for LEGO flagship stores, the 20-minute themed experience uses innovative technology to bring walls, floors, and ceilings to life with interactive animated content, lighting, sound, and music to invite kids (and grown-ups) to play in a virtual world that plays right along with them.

Each visitor will have the opportunity to meet the characters on screen and let their imaginations run wild as they build their own creation, scan their build and then watch it become a living part of the Brick Lab in seconds so they can play both physically and virtually.

The Tree of Discovery

The tree, which took 1,900 hours to construct and is made of over 880,000 LEGO bricks, symbolises the LEGO Group’s commitment to having a positive impact on society and the planet.

A key feature is its bright rainbow trunk which houses a whole host of wonderful hidden details and secrets for shoppers to discover such as mini-scenes, kaleidoscopes and picture viewers from DUPLO, Technic and the LEGO System in Play bricks.

The Mosaic Maker

Which captures your image and creates your own personalized LEGO mosaic portrait in just a few minutes.

The LEGO Minifigure Factory

Allows you to design and create a unique LEGO Minifigure (complete with a brick with your name and a special box) – the perfect souvenir for your visit or gift for someone else.

LEGO Expressions

Ever wanted a LEGO Minifigure to copy your every move?  Well now you can with the magical LEGO Expressions.  Simply stand in front of the screen and Lady Liberty and her NYC pals will copy every facial expression you make.

Exclusive NYC inspired LEGO models

Highlights include a talking Statue of Liberty Minifigure, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes such as Thor, Spiderman, Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America who’s standing on top of an iconic yellow NYC taxi cab, a New York cityscape, a wall featuring LEGO recreations of famous Broadway show and Movie LEGO posters, the Ghostbusters Firehouse featuring the full Ghostbusters crew, Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man and Slimer.

 

Disney confirms it’s in ‘consultation with group of UK Stores’ over closures

Disney has confirmed that it is holding consultations with an initial group of stores in the UK about their closure in its first official acknowledgement of speculation that all but its flagship London store was to shut up shop in the UK.

Rumours have been circulating that Disney has been planning to close all but one of its 34 stores in the UK, leaving its London Oxford Street store open to the public as its flagship bricks and mortar destination.

As tracked by the Snopes.com online resource, shutdowns of the Disney’s country-wide fleet of shops appear to be happening on a store-by-store basis. One of the latest to face closure is the company’s Highcross, Leicester unit.

The Disney pop-up in Highcross has, according to the Leicester Mercury, seen significant amount of success since it was welcomed back to the retail space in 2017. However, officials at Disney have since confirmed that it is now one of a number of stores part of a consultation period, with the possibility of closure.

A statement from a Disney Store spokesperson, said: “We are currently in consultation with an initial group of Stores in the UK, including our Leicester Store.”

Benzinga has been following the developments of the Disney Store in the US, reporting that in March this year, the retail operation of the global corporation detailed its efforts to pivot from brick and mortar stores to e-commerce, beginning with the closure of at least 60 of its North American stores.

“While consumer behaviour has shifted toward online shopping, the global pandemic has changed what consumers expect from a retailer,” said Stephanie Young, president of consumer products, games, and publishing.

“Over the past few years, we have been focusing on meeting consumers where they are already spending their time, such as the expansion of Disney Store shops-in-shops around the world.

“We now plan to create a more flexible, interconnected e-commerce experience that gives consumers easy access to unique, high quality products across all of our franchises.”

The strategy appears to be implemented in other European countries, including in Ireland where a single Disney Stores is expected to remain in Dublin, and in France where stores will remain operational at Disneyland Paris and on the Champs-Elysees.