Record retailer interest causes free licensing education event to close early
Fabulous retailer engagement has led to Brand Licensing Europe closing applications to its retail mentoring programme a full two months ahead of schedule – and with Card Factory committed to taking part for the first time.
Chief commercial officer Adam Dury has signed up four delegates from the value greetings and gift retail giant to join a record 90-strong intake for the free programme which runs between April and the BLE event at London’s ExCel over 4-6 October, and is designed to educate retailers on the who, how, and why of brand licensing.
As well as Card Factory, online greetings and gift retailer Moonpig is sending a team, joining delegates from Ann Summers, Asda George, Character.com, Claire’s, DFS, Dunelm, Fat Face, Frasers Group (Sports Direct), HMV, John Lewis, Longleat, M&Co, Marie Curie, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons GM & Nutmeg, My 1st Years, New Look, Sainsbury’s Tu, Selfridges, Tesco, The Entertainer, Vanilla Underground, and Very Group – a waiting list has now opened for the 2024 programme.
“We’ve worked so hard to understand British retailers in recent years and deliver a programme of events and education that really meets their needs,” explained Laura Freedman-Dagg, head of retail for BLE organiser Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group.
“We want to help them understand how working with licences – or even becoming one – can make such a huge positive impact on engaging consumers, differentiating their offering, and boosting their profit margins. This year’s programme reaching capacity so early is testament to our content being on the money.”
The first retail mentoring programme delegates’ event will be the brand-new Licensing For Retail Day on 19 April. at Convene London, also organised by Global Licensing Group, where they will network alongside rmp alumni and BLE retail VIP attendees, and the 2023 programme concludes with attendance at the show itself where they’ll enjoy a new and improved retail lounge experience.
The Licensing For Retail Day is open for other attendees, with a limited number of free tickets available to vetted retailers for the inaugural Planning For The Future conference, while non-retailers such as licensees, licensors, brand owners, agents, and service providers can buy tickets. Booking is open online and discounts are available to Licensing International members.
Laura added: “The Licensing For Retail programme has been designed 100% with retailers’ objectives in mind. By providing through-the-year content in addition to the RMP and BLE, our goal is to help retailers understand more about how brands and customer fandom can drive their strategy forward and, as a result, maximise their use of brand partnerships to drive sustainable growth. This is so important right now, given all the challenges retailers are facing.”
The content is designed to deliver practical takeaways that will help retailers navigate the world of branded consumer products through trend presentations, case studies, and updates on the latest technological advances.
Along will opportunities for peer-to-peer networking throughout the day and at the post-event drinks, there will be a keynote address before lunch, and the day will follow four themes:
- Setting The Scene – the power of brands at retail.
- Licensing And You – how brand licensing is so much more than brand slap.
- The Future – how will brands be represented at retail in 5-10 years?
- Coming Together – licensors, licensees, and retailers.
Top: BLE’s retail mentoring programme is full two months’ ahead of expectations
