00-00 LSB Licensee Feedback GRID 2024.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 30/04/2024 20:39 Page 1
LICENSEE FEEDBACK
A summer of success? LSB catches up with a selection of licensees across a number of categories to find out their expectations for summer trading, how sell-through is going in their respective sectors, concerns and what they are most looking forward to as Q3 approaches. Mike Coles, group md, Blues Group “We have seen a positive start to 2024 and sales to date have exceeded our initial forecasts by more than 40%. We are expecting this to continue into autumn and beyond. Our ability to create great designs is certainly a major factor in driving these sales. It is still very early days, but initial sell-through on the majority of our brands has been excellent. Option count for all the divisions within the group have grown year on year and, with growing consumer confidence, our order quantities are much more significant. My only concerns for 2024 will be much the same as any other supplier or retailer and that is the extended lead times due to shipping from the Far East, which can be mitigated by sourcing closer to home or airfreighting goods in. This year you can feel there is more energy and excitement at retail and in licensing. I believe the momentum will continue into the last half of the year and we will maintain growth, while also delivering the amazing designs we are famous for.” Right: Mike Coles, Blues Group.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK 2024
Below: Liam Taylor, Rubber Road. Bottom right: Simon Foulkes, Rainbow Productions.
Liam Taylor, head of partnerships and development, Rubber Road “The movie studios will bring the content [for summer] and Despicable Me 4 stands out as being the big one that offers huge potential. We’re hoping that the feel good factor returns outside of what we do as well, with everything crossed for the Euros and Olympics giving the nation cause for celebrations. It does still feel that consumer spend will be on considered purchases, so we just need to keep being relevant and introducing exciting products that grab the attention of the fans. Core fans will find the money when they see them as they won’t want to miss out. As we enter Q3, less rain, more sun, global issues starting to be resolved and football coming home. Some of those are more likely than others!”
Simon Foulkes, md, Rainbow Productions “In our world it’s not so much making ‘hay’ but making ‘play’ while it shines. The summer months are Rainbow’s busiest in terms of events with the profligacy of family festivals and events. From theme parks, family attractions and holiday resorts through to horse racing and outdoor events, live entertainment is in tremendous demand and quality family time is not only required but expected. Consumers have never been so sophisticated in their demands for character-led entertainment. Creativity is at the heart of live events and pushing the boundaries of expectations is not only self-fulfilling but, more importantly, driving consumer engagement. By Q3, we will already be preparing for Christmas activations including shopping centre and retail tours by festive favourites such as the Elves Behavin’ Badly, The Grinch and The Snowman. Rainbow exists to put smiles on faces and all the time we can achieve this, it’s job done.”