Shortlist for five retail accolades confirmed for big event on September 12.
The finalists in this year’s Retail categories in The UK Licensing Awards have been confirmed.
The shortlist for the Best Retailer of Preschool, Kids and Adult Licensed Products, plus the Radar Award, were decided as a result of an extensive nomination process, followed by validation by a panel of over 20 industry experts, made up of both leading licensors and licensees (pictured).
The Retail Validation Panel this year was chaired by Anne Bradford, general manager of Blues Clothing.
Commenting, Ian Hyder, joint md of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Licensing Awards, said: “Licensed merchandise in all its forms is enjoying an unprecedented profile at retail, right across the retail landscape, from grocers to specialists, department stores to online operators.
“The Retail categories in The Licensing Awards recognise and reward not just retailers’ increased commitment to licensing products, but the execution in store which further perpetuates consumer engagement.”
The Retail Awards finalists in The Licensing Awards 2017 are:
Best Retailer of Preschool Licensed Products (Age Group 0-5)
Argos
Asda
Mothercare
Sainsbury’s
Shop Direct
Smyths
Best Retailer of Kids Licensed Products (Age Group 5-16)
Argos
Claire’s Accessories
Next
Primark
Sainsbury’s
Tesco
Best Retailer of Adult Licensed Products
ASOS
Forbidden Planet
HMV
Next
Primark
Sainsbury’s
The Radar Award – For retailers who have come on the radar on the licensing front, considerably increasing their licensing activities in the last year.
B&M
Card Factory
Character.com
Matalan
The Range
Wilko
All winners from the above categories are also contenders for the Top Retailer Award.
In addition, the finalists for Best Licensed Retail Execution – which is for a specific promotion or licensing treatment executed at retail over the last year – have also been confirmed:
- DC Comics’ Be A Superhero This Summer at Intu
- Disney Princess Dream Big at Tesco
- Finding Dory Summer Campaign at Sainsbury’s
- Minnie and Mickey Mouse Launch Campaign at Gap
- My Little Pony Easter Activation at Primark
- Nickelodeon All Stars Easter Activity at Intu
- Star Wars Mission at Asda
- WWE Wrestlemania at Selfridges
The winners of the Retail categories will be revealed at a glittering ceremony on Tuesday September 12, held in The Great Room of The Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
The headline sponsor of The Licensing Awards 2017 is Brand Licensing Europe and the awards are officially supported by LIMA.
You can keep up to date with everything to do with The Licensing Awards on Twitter – simply follow @LicensingAwards and don’t forget to use #LicensingAwards 17 in your tweets.
Over 1,400 retailers, licensees and industry suppliers are set to attend this year’s big event. Following the awards, the party will continue with the After Bar Bar at Groovy Wonderland, backed by PowerStation Studios.
Tickets are available from Createvents on 01183 340085 or email clare@createvents.co.uk.
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