Focus On... Licensed Gifts

Licensed giftware continues to surge ahead in leaps and bounds, with a myriad of licences coming out for Spring/Summer and in the run up to Christmas.

Think comic book heroes, gaming, retro, award winning TV shows and Harry Potter, for a flavour of what will be appearing on shelves in the coming weeks.

Brand new for 2021, Puckator has launched an Asterix range featuring three of the most popular characters - Asterix himself, his associate Obelix and furry friend Dogmatix - with brightly coloured, highly illustrated products paying homage to the work of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. There are over 30 different products available, ranging from drinkware and lunch accessories to homeware and stationery.

“We are also releasing a new line of comic book-themed storage bags and large shoppers, which are eco-friendly and reusable, to help with the worldwide push to reduce waste,” confirms Puckator’s designer Laura Billingham.

During March, and throughout April, Puckator will also be introducing a handful of new products that will join the Asterix range. These include items created using the company’s popular bamboo, rPET and stainless-steel materials. The bamboo is created from the recycled offcuts from chopsticks, while the rPET bags are created using recycled plastic bottles.

“The stainless steel bottles provide the perfect opportunity to make the switch to something more reusable and eco-friendly,” says Laura. “All the products are perfect for eco-conscious people of all ages, with the Asterix range one for the whole family.”

Widdop And Co has introduced a myriad of new licences this year to include Harry Potter, Disney, Warner Bros, DC Comics and That’s Not My…

“Harry Potter has become a big hit with not only children but also adults too,” says Widdop’s creative director Stephen Illingworth. “This year, we wanted to inject the same excitement into our range of products and gifts so that everyone can enjoy a magical Christmas. From colourful baubles to fun lights and printed stockings, our range of Harry Potter gifts and accessories look fabulous in modern homes, adding a nostalgic, fantasy touch to the festive season.”

In addition, Warner Bros licensed product can be found within the company’s 12 Dreams of Christmas Guest List, which features ranges of gifts and accessories based on famous Warner Bros characters.

The DC Comics Christmas collection includes hanging decorations, boxes, lights and stockings, while The Grinch range features keepsakes and decorations. Also new are two Paddington collections, one with art from the box office hit movies, and another for baby’s first Christmas featuring the classic Peggy Fortnum illustrations. There is also a new addition to the Disney brand - Disney Christmas Winnie The Pooh range - showcasing festive themed 3D mugs, figurines and dinner sets.

Non-Christmas licensed product sees That’s Not My... featuring fun gifts and bedroom accessories that include dinosaurs, lions and unicorn designs.

“We have some great new products joining our licensed ranges at University Games this year and top of the list has to be the first-ever all female Subbuteo Main Game,” comments University Games’ sales director Mark Jones.

“The highly anticipated Official England Lionesses Subbuteo Main Game will launch this May, with the England Lionesses a true inspiration to young players over the past few years. England's success at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup has helped a growth in participation across all levels,” highlights Mark.

“Friday nights have never been the same since Friday Night Dinner burst onto our screens ten years ago,” says 8th Wonder’s Andrea Gornall, senior business and product development manager.

“It’s hard to believe it has been ten years and six series later since this brilliant British sitcom about a Jewish family sitting down every Friday night for dinner together - and all the drama that can entail - came onto our screens.”

To celebrate the tenth anniversary, 8th Wonder is launching a Friday Night Dinner interactive talking plush range featuring favourite characters from the show - Martin, Adam, Jonny and Jim. The plush figures are free-standing, with each character saying four of the show’s different iconic phrases. Explains Andrea: “Listen to Martin say phrases like ‘hello bambinos” and “lovely bit of squirrel”. Adam say ‘p*issface’ and ‘seriously’. Jonny say ‘bye pusface’ and ‘hmm crimble crumble’ and Jim says classics like ‘hello all’, ‘something smells nice’ and ‘shalom! shalom!’. There’s also Jim’s favourite companion, a plush ‘Wilson’.”

Fizz Creations has unveiled the company’s biggest selection of licensed products this year, with the award winning SLUSH PUPPiE range kicking off the line-up.

“We are excited to introduce kids and novelty gifting with our Trolls, Minions and Where’s Wally? collections,” enthuses Fizz Creations’ marketing director Paul Boon. “Plus, our vibrant, colourful Haribo range is sure to turn a frown upside down with its classic sweet icons.”

For retro and gaming fans, the company has introduced Tetris and Sonic alongside PAC-MAN, with a selection of gift and gaming products that include Arcade in a Tin featuring Tetris and PAC-MAN classic gameplay and sounds with a 2.4” colour screen, housed in a pocket-sized tin. Jaws, Back to the Future and E.T. all feature in a classic movies line up with gifting, lighting and drinkware for nostalgic fans. “In addition, two huge licences for the festive season are launching with warm, cosy products from The Snowman and bright, bold novelty gifts featuring The Grinch,” adds Paul.

Harry Potter is a new license for Nemesis Now, featuring a brand new collection of collectable tankards, goblets, hanging decorations and crystal clear art. All are officially licensed by Warner Bros.

“Designed and sculpted in our UK head office by our talented design team, each of these pieces is created with the finest attention to detail, using high quality materials,” states Nemesis Now’s managing director Andrew Norman-Smith.

Pyramid has recently launched exciting new ranges around the hit Netflix show Cobra Kai which, having aired its third season in January, has a huge following across Europe. “New additions to our range have just been sold including gift sets, tshirts and more,” confirms Pyramid’s licensing director Mordy Benaiah. “The retro Karate Kid range will sit alongside this as well offering adults some inspired and fun product. Carrying on with the Netflix theme we are also about to launch our first Witcher collection. This is best in class adult TV and has fans excited for season 2. Ranges are now available.”

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month

Beauty & the Beast Figurine In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Enesco has added a brand-new piece into its ever-popular Disney Traditions by Jim Shore collection. A Rare Rose – Belle Deluxe Figurine is a striking piece that any fan of the movie franchise will want to add to their collection. Standing at 38.0cm tall, Belle looks stunning in the characteristic golden ball gown, embellished with pearls and Swarovski crystals, making the outfit every bit as special as the movie’s landmark anniversary. Enesco T:01228 404022 E: uksales@enesco.co.uk W:www.enesco.co.uk Licensed Classic Characters Rainbow Designs, the Home of Classic Characters, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It’s the name behind a prestigious portfolio of licensed classic character collections including the much-loved Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear, Disney Classic Winnie-the-Pooh, Snoopy, Guess How Much I Love You, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Miffy, Elmer, That’s Not My … , Spot and Universal DreamWorks collections. Rainbow Designs T:01329 227300 E: sales@rainbowdesigns.co.uk W:www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Harry Potter Christmas collection Nemesis Now has a brand-new collection of collectible Christmas hanging decorations which will make any Harry Potter Fan weak at the knees. Officially licensed by Warner Bros. and designed and sculpted in its UK head office by its talented design team, each of these pieces is created with the finest attention to detail, using high quality materials and make an integral part of its newly launched Christmas range. Nemesis Now T:01782 596660 E: sales@nemesisnow.com W:www.nemesisnow.com Illuminated castles by Disney Enesco has unveiled a brand-new collection of illuminated castles by Disney from Dept56. With four castles taken from the scenes of some of Disney’s most iconic animated classics including Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty, the illuminated castles by Disney from Dept56 make for a magical window decoration, or stunning table centrepiece all year round. They are the perfect present for any Disney Princess fan or a brilliant self-purchase with a very reasonable price point. Enesco T:01228 404022 E: uksales@enesco.co.uk W:www.enesco.co.uk

E.T. Moon Mood Light New from Fizz Creations is this 20cm tall mood light which captures a moveable silhouette of E.T. and Elliott flying past the moon, just like the movie. The batteryoperated light features a spherical cratered moon brightly illuminated by a cool white LED light. Pre-order to secure stock today. Fizz Creations T:01903 327006 E: sales@fizzcreations.com W:fizzcreations.com

CELEBRATING

1971 - 2021

Please visit www.orangetreetoys.com to view the full range, or if you would like one of our sales team to contact you, please call Please visit www.orangetreetoys.com to view the full range, or if you would like one of the sales team to contact you, 01242 244500 please call 01242 244500

Orange Tree Toys is so excited to announce the upcoming release of itsii brand new, completely sustainable collection. The wooden range is themed around a favourite for all preschoolers - Jungle Animals! The eco-friendly Jungle Animal range has been designed with sustainability in mind, to ensure that the beautiful animals and plants of the jungles are protected. The toys are made entirely out of wood from sustainable forests, and the packaging is all fully recyclable using minimal plastic, and where plastic is used, it is PET, 100% recyclable plastic. The collection of toys includes all the favourites from Orange Tree Toys, including skittles, pull alongs, and puzzles, as well as plenty of new additions, such as the delightful Stacking Jungle Animals! The Stacking Jungle Animals is a beautiful set of brightly painted wooden Jungle Animals, perfect for stacking up and knocking back down, as well as imaginative play. The animals come with a handy drawstring bag, perfect for storing away. The range is packaged in beautifully designed boxes to compliment the collection. With bright colours and lovely illustrations, any of these toys would make a perfect gift for a little one, and look absolutely gorgeous on any shop shelf! Sure to be best sellers, this range is available for pre-order now, for delivery from May.

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased this month

Sustainable gifts Since January last year Eco Chic has proudly recycled over 1.5 million plastic bottles. To help the team celebrate this achievement they have some great bounce back deals strictly available on a first come first served basis. Eco Chic continues to offer on trend designs and on trend product so don't miss out! Eco Chic T:0208 6069419 E: support@eco-chic.shop W:www.eco-chic.shop Oriental Inspired Design Kimono is a set of three striking and colourful designs on Dunoon’s Lomond shape. Inspired by the Orient, the designer David Broadhurst has created beautiful and intricate patterns embellished with opulent 22 carat gold making these mugs really special. Made in Fine Bone China and handcrafted in Staffordshire. Dunoon Ceramics T:01785 817414 E: sales@dunoonmugs.co.uk W:www.dunoonmugs.co.uk

Back to the Future Logo Light Embrace the iconic 1980s with this nostalgic logo light, coming soon from Fizz Creations. The shaped Back to the Future light features six LEDs and can be battery or USB powered and will be available late summer. Pre-order to secure stock today. Fizz Creations T:01903 327006 E: sales@fizzcreations.com W:www.fizzcreations.com New season designs This season, Katie Loxton has brought brand-new products centre stage featuring eye-catching new designs. An uplifting colour palette has been introduced to reflect this bright and refreshing new season, while even more personalised gifts can now be chosen to add a touch of style to the season. Ready and waiting to pour rest and relaxation into every home, brand-new Mini Sentiment fragrance sets have been designed in gift boxed packaging and finished with scattered metallic prints. Katie Loxton T:01295 232783 E: customercare@katieloxton.com W:www.katieloxton.com

Artistic Inspiration Gallery Direct’s spring/summer 2021 collection includes a beautiful range of cushions and doorstops featuring exclusively commissioned artwork, inspired by quintessential British countryside and farm animals, along with cats and dogs. The series of original individual watercolour designs, which capture the character and essence of the animals beautifully, were all hand painted exclusively for Gallery and have been used to create this inspiring selection of new cushions and doorstops. Gallery Direct T:01795 439159 E: sales@gallerydirect.co.uk W:www.gallerydirect.co.uk