2018 highlights: March & April

From the B&LLAs winners being crowned, through to the Sainsbury’s/Asda merger.

2018 has been another strong year in the UK licensing industry – despite a challenging retail environment, licensees and licensors have been experimenting with new routes to market and new retail names have emerged.

Brands from the digital world have been making an impact, plus it’s been a record year for fundraising for industry charity, The Light Fund, and Brand Licensing Europe said farewell to London’s Olympia on a high.

We are highlighting some of our most read stories and articles of the year in the lead up to Christmas.

Today: March and April

March

Primark backs Molang brand – Range of adult t-shirts from Poetic Brands launches in the fashion retailer across the UK.

The B&LLAs 2018 finalists are revealed – The finalists in the product, property and retail categories for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2018 are confirmed.

Paul Williamson retires from Aykroyd & Sons – Paul was part of the licensee’s team for the last 20 years as sales and marketing director.

B&M in Kylie Minogue bed linen dispute – Value retailer refutes legal claim over bed linen and cushion lines branded with ‘Kylie’ name.

“There have been amazing highlights in the last ten years” – Rob Corney talks ten years of Bulldog and what the future holds for the agency and the industry.

FatFace reveals Natural History Museum tie-up – First phase of new apparel collection launches this month.

Harrods unveils month-long Peter Rabbit movie drive – In-store activations, scavenger hunts and film merchandise take over department store.

April

Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2018: The winners – Over 400 licensors, licensees, agents and retailers gather at The Dorchester to see winners crowned.

Bethesda welcomes David Evans to team – David will be growing European, Russian, Australasian and Middle East licensing opportunities.

Life’s little certainties: death, taxes and F&B – BLE’s Anna Knight on why food and drink is one of the most robust categories in licensing.

My Little Pony first infant range canters into Tesco – Infant and toddler range launches under Playskool Baby brand exclusively with retailer.

Disney remains top brand licensor for almost a decade – Company once again leads the annual Top 150 Global Licensors report.

Sainsbury’s confirms plans to merge with Asda – Deal will create one of the UK’s leading grocery, general merchandise and clothing retail groups.

Care Bears and Pusheen collab unveiled – Apparel collaboration is part of the Care Bears ‘Colors of Caring’ campaign.

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