58-59 Brands In LSB 2020_muk.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 07/07/2020 16:21 Page 58
IN CONVERSATION WITH… BRANDS IN
Thanks to its strong relationship with Amazon, Brands In has seen sales driven up during the pandemic, and it has now developed similar quick-to-market partnerships with other key online retailers such as Pretty Little Thing and Character.com. LSB catches up with md Rick Lowe to find out more.
Inset: The company’s ‘never-out-of-stock’ programmes on apparel are backed up by in-house print on demand and a drop shop facility. Below: “We are always looking for the right growth opportunities,” says Rick. Bottom: Brands In also works with music brands, bands and artists.
Fashion forward
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f there was one company which was well placed to be able to nimbly work its way through a pandemic, Brands In is certainly a very good example. Prior to lockdown, the company already had a strong relationship with Amazon – indeed, Brands In has been working with the online retailer for around eight years, initially selling directly to it via the Vendor programme. The importance of this relationship has been further underlined by the acceleration of online shopping due to the physical retail shut down. Since lockdown, the Londonbased company has also developed similar quick-tomarket relationships with other retailers including Character.com, Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing. The company’s slick – and ecofriendly - production process, its ‘never-out-stock’ ethos, in-house print on demand and drop ship facility, combined with a vast library of licences has won the business numerous fans and means it is a hot ticket in the licensing business right now.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
Rick Lowe, md of the company, tells LSB: “Lockdown has impacted us positively in our relationship with Amazon as more consumers have gone online. This has driven our sales up during the pandemic. We are a relatively new supplier [to Character.com, Boohoo and PLT] and the fact that we are vertical is the reason we are growing with them. We have the licences, design prowess and we are vertical. Speed matters and we have proven to be able to deliver on this requirement.” Disney is an evergreen for the company when it comes to popular licences, with Rick also highlighting Disney+ hit The Mandalorian among its recent successes. Brands In also has a solid relationship with Warner Bros. Consumer Products – notably it was awarded TV Product of the Year for its Riverdale apparel by the licensor last year, while 2019 also saw it expand into accessories with both Riverdale and Friends. Despite the pandemic, Rick believes there is still growth to be had – and international is certainly a key part of Brands In’s plans. “There are some great opportunities for the companies