Hong Kong Readies for Licensing EventHong Kong Readies for Licensing Event

13th annual Hong Kong Int'l Licensing Show set for Jan. 11-13.

As Asia’s consumer’s increase their demand for branded products, foreign licensors and licensees are turning to Hong Kong licensing agencies to expand their Asian business. Enter the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Asian Licensing Conference, both organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. HKILS and ALC will return to Hong Kong on Jan. 11-13 and Jan. 11-12, respectively.

The 13th HKILS held in this past January saw 318 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions. More than 800 brands and properties including "Angry Birds," Doraemon, Warner Bros., Adidas and Paul Frank were featured. Nine regional pavilions highlighted offerings from Italy, the U.K., Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and Hong Kong's homegrown characters and designs were showcased in the Hong Kong Creative Gallery.

In total, the show attracted more than 19,700 buyers from more than 100 countries and regions, 80 percent of which were Asian buyers.

Taking place alongside the HKILS, the 4th annual ALC attracted more than 1,200 participants, with 30-plus speakers from global brands including Twentieth Century Fox, Discovery, P&G and Lamborghini.

The upcoming fifth edition next month will focus on the latest licensing trends in the Asian market. Dedicated sessions will include discussions on market developments in mainland China, licensing opportunities for fashion, lifestyle, new media and entertainment, as well as art and culture licensing in Asia.

The growth rate of licensed merchandise sales in Asia has been huge in recent years. Retail sales of licensed products in Asia, excluding Japan, stood at US $8.7 billion in 2013, representing year-on-year growth of 6.9 per cent.

When it comes to China, the second-largest licensing market in Asia, the country boasted an estimated market of US$5.5 billion in 2013, accounting for 30 percent of the total Asian market and growth of 9.2 percent from the previous year.

For more information on HKILS and ALC visit hktdc.com/hklicensingshow and hktdc.com/asianlicensingconference.