Touching Base - Stitch

Thomas BakerVice president of International Sales, Paladone

Stitch has always been one of Paladone’s strongest licences, but the excitement and hype surrounding the live-action movie has sparked interest and demand beyond our core customer base. This buzz has given us new opportunities to explore some fun and creative product development, particularly in our core categories like lighting and homewares.

One of our biggest strengths at Paladone is the diverse range of product categories we cover. This allows us to create unique, tailored retail solutions that showcase our products and deliver impactful in-store experiences. We take pride in developing unique items that truly complement the Lilo & Stitch brand. For example, our Stitch LED Lamp and SquishyGlo Light highlight our design team’s creativity and ability to bring something fresh to the market. These factors really help our products stand out from the crowd.

Carl FranksLicensing and Sales manager, IG Design

The release of the live-action movie is a great opportunity to build on the momentum that has been developing around Stitch over the last few years. We’ve seen the franchise go from strength to strength recently and felt that this was the right time to expand our range across stationery, activity, gift wrap and bags. Feedback has been really positive, and the range is already proving a hit with retailers - we fully expect this to continue beyond the movie launch.

We always ensure that we design our products with the end user in mind, and we’ve tried to bring Stitch’s playful personality to life across a wide range of creative, stationery and activity formats with innovation, value and shelf appeal at the core of our offer. We also have retail-ready fixture formats that have been designed to maximise shelf standout and drive impulse sales.

Jose DiazSales marshal, Eolo Toys

The theme, setting and release date for the live-action movie have helped us position some of our product categories. On one hand, we've leveraged the Outdoor line due to the timing of the movie release, and on the other, for the Novelty category, we’ve developed innovative products at entry-level price points, which is undoubtedly a growing segment for us.

Disney plays a key role by avoiding the over-licensing of the same product category across multiple licensees. In that regard, they’re doing an excellent job, including activations with specific retailers tailored to each market. Based on the feedback we’ve received from many of our clients, Lilo & Stitch is undoubtedly a franchise that’s here to stay.

Jan-Bart KolsterenCommercial director, Canenco

The new live-action Lilo & Stitch movie will give a huge additional spark to audiences young and old. As a result of this, we expect the Stitch licence will be transformed from a huge trend into a massive evergreen.

At Canenco, we are proud to be one of the top Disney craft partners in Europe with a focus on quality at an affordable price range, making us stand out within the marketplace. This legacy has been with us for the past 42 years and is something we will strongly hold on to for many years to come towards our partners. We’re sure consumers are going to love our vibrant, high-quality range of creative play, accessories and stationery products. The extensive product range is designed to capture the cheeky nature of Stitch while offering something for every fan.

Gemma FitzgibbonLicensing manager, Funko

The live-action Lilo & Stitch movie offers a fantastic licensing opportunity for Funko to engage both millennials and Gen Z who have a lasting love for the franchise. Disney continues to be an essential partner, and this collaboration allows us to celebrate Lilo & Stitch with a wide range of products.

From Pop! vinyl figures that highlight unforgettable moments to Mystery Minis, Bitty Pop! and Loungefly accessories, the collection spans multiple categories and strengthens our ability to expand offerings and bring joy to fans of all ages.

Funko ensures that our licensed Stitch products stand out in a crowded marketplace by combining unique design with exceptional quality. Our signature Pop! vinyl figures are instantly recognisable, capturing Stitch’s playful personality. The huge variety of collectibles gives fans more ways to engage with the cheeky character, and by focusing on creativity, authenticity and attention to detail, we can ensure that Funko is a top choice for Stitch enthusiasts.

Ethan FenwickGlobal Licensing, EXG Pro

The upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch movie is bringing the character back into the spotlight, and his new design stays true to the original, ensuring that all our collectibles still feel authentic. Stitch’s appeal spans generations: young audiences love his playful energy, while nostalgic millennials appreciate the timeless themes of family and belonging. This film will reintroduce Stitch to new fans and reaffirm his iconic status among long-time admirers. His bold colours and unmistakable design make him ideal for collectible merchandise, and we ensure that every product taps into an emotional connection as much as a visual one. The timing is perfect to explore innovative product lines that celebrate Stitch’s spirit.

Our Stitch range stands out by combining authentic character design with function-first innovation, a signature of the EXG Pro approach. We deliver everyday practicality without sacrificing collectability. From our highly detailed sculpts that stay true to Stitch’s personality to multi-use formats like Holdems and Cable Guys, our range offers fans both display pieces and products they can actually use and enjoy daily – all paired with premium plastic-free packaging and playful storytelling.

Chloe BagshawProduct Development manager, MV Sports

We already offer an exciting, fully comprehensive Stitch range including Light Up Folding Inline, Play Tent, 2-in-1 Training Bike, Deluxe Bobble and Mini Go! Tilt Scooter with Stitch Squishle Pouch, to name just a few. While sales are strong on Stitch (with some lines selling out before stock has even landed), we expect the Lilo & Stitch movie to propel this excitement and demand even further. The stunning blue and purple palette combined with ‘cute and fluffy’ graphics ensures our Stitch range is tailored to consumers young and old – even for those of us who were (and still are) fans of the animated version in 2002.

At MV, design is our forte; combined with innovative and eye-catching products, we have the recipe for success. Our Stitch range features bold blue, purple and pink components with beautifully composed, iconic graphics including star of the show, Stitch. We have tailored our range to suit younger and older children, with innovative accessories and features, such as the Stitch Mini Go! Tilt Scooter with Stitch Squishle pouch. The aluminium handlebar makes this scooter lightweight yet sturdy and features a washable Stitch Squishle pouch with waterproof lining, perfect for wearing and storing all kinds of goodies. Likewise, the Stitch Light Up Balance Bike boasts multicoloured, motion-activated light up wheels for extra fun and wow factor whilst encouraging balance and coordination development.

Dawn LavaletteManaging director, Wow! Stuff

The upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film provides a fantastic opportunity to grow and evolve our licensed Puppetronics offering and bring Disney's Stitch to life in an exciting new way, which sees him look real, feel real and sound real. We’re building on the success of our original Stitch 1.0 range with a new movie version 2.0 — now even fluffier and featuring additional, unique sound files that elevate the character's personality and playability. The live-action movie gives us a whole new way to engage fans, adding an extra layer of realism and fun. We've reimagined Stitch with even more interactivity and detail while keeping him true to character and celebrating everything people already love about him. The fresh new look from the film has inspired us to roll out a brand-new style guide and a whole new wave of next-level Puppetronics magic.

Wow! Stuff has been ahead of the curve when it comes to Stitch. Our multi-awardwinning Disney Stitch Puppetronic by Real FX has been a sell-out hit since launching last summer and is something that had been in development long before news of the live-action movie surfaced. Stitch has given us a springboard to create an entirely new toy category – Puppetronics – which is the result of a stellar development team and a testament to our belief in the enduring strength of the franchise. Stitch has incredible cross-generational appeal, resonating with nostalgic adults and parents plus a new generation of fans. We have built on that foundation with innovation that truly sets us apart. Combining traditional puppetry with cutting-edge electronics, our Puppetronics technology brings Stitch to life like never before, delivering an unrivalled immersive and magical play experience.

Richard CollinsManaging director, Ravensburger

We have our largest range of Stitch-inspired products ever this year (24 in all) to celebrate the launch of the movie. Our top selling puzzle from last year, 3D Stitch with Ears, is joined by Angel with Ears and Antenna this autumn. We have Stitch updates in our most popular children's 2D puzzle formats with a new 4-in-a-Box, new 3 x 49 Piece and a new 35-Piece. For slightly older children (adults included), we have a beautiful 500-piece round puzzle as well as our Stitch 1000-piece challenge puzzle.

At Ravensburger, we are always looking to innovate, which is why our Stitch with Ears 3D puzzle was such a success. We're confident that the new Angel with Ears 3D puzzle will follow suit. Similarly, with speed puzzling a hot topic after the first UK Nationals Jigsaw Puzzle Championship sponsored by Ravensburger, we are introducing the Stitch Speedy Puzzle concept – this is great for those competitive puzzlers out there, from children to adults. There is nothing else like it in the market, so we know it will be incredibly popular. We also combine some of our most popular games with the licence such as Stitch Labyrinth and the Stitch Level 8 card game, so that players can enjoy gameplay they love combined with their favourite licence.

Julia Wronka Marketing designer, Pyramid International

The upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film is a huge opportunity for the licensing industry. It introduces Stitch to a whole new generation while reigniting nostalgia for long-time fans. For us at Pyramid International, it’s the ideal moment to amplify our product offering. We’ve seen a strong and consistent demand for Stitch merchandise, and the film is likely to spike interest across all age groups. With fresh storytelling and the power of Disney behind it, this release provides momentum to expand our Stitch range and bring bolder, themed collections like Stitch Planetary into the spotlight. Standing out comes down to originality, design-led thinking and shelf presence. Our in-house team develops unique, cohesive themes like Stitch Planetary to offer something different from the usual Stitch merchandise. Every item in the collection ties into the larger visual story, creating consistency and collectability across SKUs. We support our ranges with strong marketing and merchandising assets, such as an FSDU that makes a real impact in-store. Combined with high-quality production and a focus on what fans love most about the character, we create products that speak to consumers and retailers alike.

Dan GrantLicensing director, Danilo

The upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch movie gives a fresh boost to a character that’s already loved by so many. For Danilo, it’s a great chance to tap into the renewed excitement – reaching nostalgic fans who grew up with Stitch, as well as introducing him to a whole new generation. We’re planning a special Lilo & Stitch movie calendar for later in the year, helping to keep the momentum going beyond the film’s release.

With Stitch’s timeless appeal and the buzz around the movie, we’re expecting to see a strong lift in demand across our calendar formats. The stunning creative assets provided by Disney give us plenty of scope to produce high-impact, visually exciting calendar designs that really bring the fun and personality of the character to life

We focus on combining variety, quality and sustainability – all while keeping in mind what fans really love about Stitch. Whether it’s his cheeky charm, his big heart or the strong message of family and acceptance that he represents, there’s something about Stitch that resonates with all ages – and we try to reflect that in everything we create.

Our range includes everything from slim and square calendars to family planners and A5 diaries, so there’s something for every kind of customer. Our in-house creative team puts a lot of care into making sure each design feels fresh, eye-catching and relevant. We also work with key retail partners to offer exclusive designs tailored to their audience.

On top of that, many of our Stitch products are now plastic-free and fully recyclable, which is increasingly important to shoppers and stockists alike. All of this helps our range stand out and keeps fans coming back year after year.

Rebecca Smith Head of Circulation, Panini

We’re expecting the live-action release of Lilo & Stitch to bring the collectibles market to new heights. We already have the trading card collection in the market and the film release will undoubtedly fuel sales and provide the perfect catalyst behind the launch of Panini’s brand-new sticker collection. Our collections benefit hugely from the PR and hype prior to a theatrical release, followed by a brand-new audience engaged with the property who are seeking out product. Then there’s another new audience when the live-action hits TV screens in homes. We take full advantage of this licence by maintaining availability of product at retail and making sure that we have product SKUs that serve a variety of retailers and consumers.

Panini collectibles are synonymous with Disney movie releases, with consumers waiting for each release.  We invest heavily in marketing and in consumer sampling to ensure we are getting product into the hands of children. The long history of success that retailers have with Panini collectiblesand the growth in sales that accompanies a movie release - help secure the space and listings that produce a winning combination at retail.

Martin WhitakerManaging director, Simba Smoby UK

The new movie is a huge opportunity for us. Disney Stitch has performed incredibly well and seen exponential growth across our business in the last 18 months. Now with the Lilo & Stitch live-action, we’re very excited to offer such an authentic movie adaptation of the licence in the shape of our official Disney Stitch Plush. Not only does Stitch look great with all his cheeky features from the movie, but he’s also a similar size and shape as our fluffy friend, and is the perfect companion for fans.