What is key to success for the new Sharper Image?

The key element is having a relationship with retailers. We did a retail road show with many major retailers to gauge what the appetite was for the brand, and we received a terrific response. Historically, most retailers couldn't get the brand before, as Sharper Image was very selective in order to protect its 192 stores. Now Sharper Image has the opportunity to be in thousands of stores, as well as the ability to leverage R&D of companies in the industry.

Who currently owns The Sharper Image?

The Sharper Image is owned by a joint venture among Hilco Consumer Capital, Gordon Brothers and Bluestar Alliance. Its brand and IP rights were acquired in May for $49 million.

What is your target market?

We made a strategic decision not to go to mass because they wanted the brand but were not yet ready to do a DTR deal. So we are focused on the mid-tier and higher-end department stores. We are focused on quality, content and value regarding what the product offers, not necessarily the price point. It is incumbent upon us to work closely with licensees to produce innovative, high-quality products at an appropriate price.

Who are your current licensees?

Among our current roster of licensees are: EnE for luggage; HoMedics (The company announced in October a $540 million licensing deal over five years with HoMedics for products in the home environment, electronics, men's personal care, men's gifts, health and wellness, weather and concierge.); DCS for replacement ink cartridges as a B2B business; OfficeMax DTR program for various products under the Sharper Image Office brand; and MerchSource for electronic gifts, such as digital photo key chains, photo frames and other products.

What are some of the categories you are looking to expand into over the next several months?

The categories include utility bedding, such as mattress protectors, slippers, towels and rugs; watches; sunglasses and readers; small kitchen electronics; noise-canceling headphones; digital cameras and camcorders; and travel retail. Looking further ahead, we are also exploring such categories as barbecues, power tools, gardening and women's grooming.

What are The Sharper Image's plans for e-commerce, and will you ever explore traditional retail again?

We are exploring the possibility of licensing the sharperimage.com and working with an Internet provider that will license the brand and aggregate licensed products, also featuring other branded products with a 70–30 split. We might even produce a catalog and consider brick and mortar at some point in the future.

What was the most recent deal announced by The Sharper Image?

We recently unveiled The Sharper Image SoundBag from EnE, providing everything you need to enjoy portable listening. The SoundBag will retail for $99 and will be available in Macy's, Dillard's and Navy Exchange Stores.