92-93-95 - LSB SOTN Retail Roundup_muk.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 20/09/2018 17:36 Page 93
Below: Smyths ran special competitions for WWE SummerSlam.
WWE Slams into retail A raft of activity took place across Argos and Smyths stores around WWE’s SummerSlam. Smyths ran competition – promoted via its social media channels – to win one of 31 SummerSlam goody bags, while three lucky winners picked up a WWE Ringside Battle Play-set with Finn Balor figure and six WWE SummerSlam figures. Argos, meanwhile, had WWE Live UK tour tickets up for grabs at venues in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham and Brighton among others, as well as 50 goody bags for fans to win.
Below: ASOS Design x The Simpsons.
RETAIL ROUND-UP
ASOS Designs unveils 1990’s inspired The Simpsons line
ASOS has revealed its latest big name licensed character collaboration, teaming up with The Simpsons. The 30-piece range has been inspired by 1990’s party culture, with the pieces featuring streetwear-influenced styles – all with a nod to The Simpsons’ characters including Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie and their aunts, Patty and Selma. The collection includes womenswear, menswear and unisex pieces, with styles available in ASOS Curve and Plus. In addition, Springfield’s Kwik-E-Mart features in the collection on bucket hats and classic tote bags, while the iconic Springfield clouds are featured on a number of fun denim pieces. There are also classic yellow swimsuits, knitted jumpers and bags in the collection.
Moonpig acquires Greetz
Photobox Group, the parent company of card and gift retailer Moonpig, has acquired Dutch online cards and gifting retailer Greetz. Greetz was founded in 2001 as an online greeting cards retailer – in which it is the undisputed market leader in Holland, with over 7.5 million cards sold in the Netherlands in 2017. In 2017, Greetz sold almost one million gifts. Growing at 25% year on year, the business is on course to double its 2015 revenues in 2018.
Below: The initiative included a site takeover.
River Island to launch homewares River Island is moving into the world of homewares with its new RI Home division. The fashion retailer will launch a 160-piece collection in October, showcasing its signature style and handwriting. The range will cover soft furnishings, décor accessories, furniture and storage, luxury candles and diffusers, an assortment of Mongolian fur cushions and scatter tables, reported Fashion United. There will be three interior trends at launch – Babydoll Rock and Roll (kitsch and cheeky), Electric Opulence (with a ‘moody and dark base of rich colours’) and Nordic Nomad (warm neutrals peppered with metallics and geometric influences). Above: The 160-piece line launches in October.
A Miraculous takeover
Licensed apparel e-tailer Character.com is continuing to enjoy success with its branded site takeovers – with the one for Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir seeing sales grow over 100% during the promotion period. The promotion marked the second time that Character.com had teamed with a brand represented by Bulldog Licensing for a week-long initiative. The Miraculous site-wide takeover ran for one week and included a change to the Character.com logo to embrace the brand’s ladybug’s red and black polka dots, a main homepage banner and a top banner running on every page advertising the promotion. The e-tailer offered 20% off all Miraculous products on the site, which was supported by social media activity including a daily giveaway of Miraculous products such as toys, bedding and make-up among others.
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018
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