Artist Beryl Cook has signed a deal with Myne Cards to bring her art to a new line of contactless protector cards.
This is Iris brokered the deal. Contactless protector cards are compact security tools that prevent the illegal scanning of credit cards.
Beryl Cook’s contactless protector cards are available now on Amazon in the U.K. and will debut at other select retailers this winter.
Arla Big Milk will launch a grocery-wide promotion featuring monthly competitions, opportunities for prizes including seasonal explorer packs and mini breaks at Chessington World of Adventures Resort.
Arla Big Milk will also work with Mumsnet for a site takeover, online activations, recipe videos inspired by The Gruffalo cookbook and more.
POS and digital campaigns will appear online and in-store at retailers including Tesco and ASDA.
This year, American shoppers are expected to spend roughly $9 billion for Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation.
Shoppers are set to spend an average of $86.79, up from last year’s $86.13. Total spending is expected to reach $9 billion, the second highest in the survey’s history, with more than 175 million Americans planning to participate.
The findings are part of the NRF’s annual survey conducted with Prosper Insights & Analytics.
According to the survey, consumers plan to spend $3.2 billion on costumes (purchased by 68 percent of Halloween shoppers), $2.6 billion on candy (95 percent), $2.7 billion on decorations (74 percent) and $400 million on greeting cards (35 percent).
“The economy is good and consumer confidence is high, so families are ready to spend on Halloween this year,” says Matthew Shay, chief executive officer and president, NRF. “Retailers are stocking up to supply children, pets and adults with their favorite decorations, candy and costumes for the season.”
Additionally, 70 percent of consumers plan to hand out candy, 50 percent will decorate their home or yard, 48 percent will wear costumes, 45 percent will carve a pumpkin, 32 percent will throw or attend a party, 30 percent will take their children trick-or-treating, 21 percent will visit a haunted house and 18 percent will dress their pets in costumes.
“One of the biggest trends this year is the growth of spending on pet costumes,” says Phil Rist, executive vice president, strategy, Prosper Insights. “Out of the 31.3 million Americans planning to dress their pets in costumes, Millennials (25-34) are most likely to dress up their pets, the highest we have seen in the history of our surveys.”
Of those dressing up for the holiday, the NRF found that 3.8 million children plan to dress as their favorite princess character; 2.2 million as Batman characters; 2.5 million as their favorite superhero; 1.9 million as their favorite Star Wars character; and another 1.9 million as a witch. Meanwhile, 7.2 million adults plan to dress as a witch; 2.5 million as a vampire; 2.1 million as a zombie; 1.9 million as a pirate; 1.3 million as their favorite Avengers Character including Iron Man and Black Panther.
Costumes Ranked: Children
1. Princess - 7.6 percent
2. Superhero - 4.9 percent
3. Batman - 4.3 percent
4. Star Wars character - 3.7 percent
5. Witch - 3.6 percent
6. Spider-Man - 3.5 percent
7. Avengers character (excluding Spider-Man) - 3.2 percent
8. Ghost - 2.9 percent
9. Pirate - 2.0 percent
10. Frozen (Elsa, Anna) - 1.7 percent
Costumes Ranked: Adults
1. Witch - 10.7 percent
2. Vampire - 3.7 percent
3. Zombie -3.1 percent
4. Pirate - 2.9 percent
5. Avengers character (excluding Spider-Man) - 2.0 percent
6. Batman - 2.0 percent
7. Star Wars character - 1.9 percent
8. Ghost - 1.8 percent
9. Superhero - 1.8 percent
10. Clown - 1.6 percent
11. Wonder Woman - 1.5 percent
Costumes Ranked: Pets
1. Pumpkin - 11.2 percent
2. Hot dog - 7.4 percent 3. Bumblebee - 4.9 percent
4. Devil - 3.2 percent
5. Cat - 3.1 percent
6. Dog - 3.1 percent
7. Lion - 2.9 percent
8. Star Wars character - 2.8 percent
9. Superhero - 2.7 percent
10. Ghost - 2.5 percent
The survey also found that 45 percent of shoppers will visit discount stores for Halloween-themed items, 35 percent will shop at specialty stores, 24 percent will visit supermarkets, 25 percent will buy at department stores and 24 percent will shop online.
Through the alliance, Spin Master will work to create a platform for retail, brand building, marketing and recognition for its brand in the Chinese marketplace. "We have been actively pursuing our objective of growing global sales," says Ben Gadbois, global president and chief operating officer, Spin Master.
"China is a key part of our international growth strategy, and Alibaba is a strong partner who shares our commitment to customer excellence. This strategic cooperation agreement with Alibaba represents a significant milestone in Spin Master's efforts to exceed the expectations of Chinese consumers."
Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, BHMW will create a drink range that includes still and sparkling mineral water, isotonic drinks and energy drinks.
The Head beverage line is set to launch in January in Eastern Europe and will be available in other markets at a later date.
In a separate deal, Head has launched a line of fragrances for the Indian market in association with Kredo Beauty, a Kredo Group brand. LicenseWorks, Kredo’s licensing agent in India, brokered the deal.
The Head fragrance collection includes 10 scents as well as eau de toilette and perfumed body spray for men and women. The name of each fragrance nods to the company’s legacy and includes Match Point, Advantage, Ace and Game Point.
The Head fragrance collection will roll out at department stores, supermarkets, health and beauty stores and pharmacy chains across India beginning this month.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Kredo Beauty Private Ltd in the field of toiletries in India,” says Giuseppe Faranna, vice president and division manager, licensing, Head Sport. “The long-lasting experience they bring into this from various international and luxury brand launches into the Indian Market have convinced us to join forces with Kredo Beauty. We believe that the products are hitting the taste of the Indian Market and that soon Head toiletries will be a piece-of-choice for people who are looking for a sports-inspired lifestyle toiletry product. We are excited and curious to learn more about this market, and Kredo will help us to conquer it.”
World of Eric Carle has entered into a deal with Jay Franco for bedding and room décor in the U.S. and Canada. Penguin Young Readers has also launched a new imprint dedicated to the portfolio of the eponymous author and illustrator.
The Joester Loria group oversaw the deal. Under the terms of the agreement, Jay Franco will produce bedding for children, toddlers and infants, bath towels, accessories, pillows, beach storage and travel goods inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
“Bedtime stories marry perfectly with our product categories,” says Elisha Gordon, vice president, licensing, Jay Franco. “Given the heritage and reach of the Eric Carle stories, we are so pleased to be offering bedding, bath and beach product to the marketplace in a variety of sizes ranging from newborn through preschool. Our designs are bright, youthful and playful, paying homage to 50 wonderful years of storytelling.”
Penguin Young Readers' World of Eric Carle imprint will be overseen by Francesco Sedita, publisher, Penguin Workshop. The imprint will publish books centered on discovery, creativity, learning and growing that complement Carle’s body of work.
New titles set to launch in winter 2019 include Calm with the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle’s Book of Many Things and Happy Birthday from the Very Hungry Caterpillar. “The opportunity to work closely with Eric Carle and his wonderful team is a childhood dream come true,” says Sedita. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar played a vital role in my childhood, and I’m thrilled to get Eric’s art–and beautiful messages–into the hands of children for many generations to come.”
Amazon has opened a new retail location curated in part by local shoppers’ online shopping patterns. Dubbed Amazon 4-Star, the store will feature items ranked four stars and above. “We started with some of the most popular categories on Amazon.com including devices, consumer electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books and games, and chose only the products that customers have rated four stars and above, are top sellers or are new and trending,” according to a company statement.
The shop will offer discounts to Amazon Prime members, display “most-wished-for” products from its customers as well as products bought by other locals. Amazon 4-Star will also display its devices and provide customers a chance to try them out. Amazon 4-Star is open now in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.
The findings are a part of The NPD Group’s latest report, The Power of Grandparents Within the U.S. Toy Industry. According to the study, grandparents account for roughly $7 billion of the $28 billion U.S. toy industry spending.
While parents spend the most on toys, grandparents’ spending has accelerated more than any other consumer demographic. Grandparents’ online spending has also grown greater than any other toy purchasing group.
“The toy industry is amidst unprecedented change, and toy retailers and manufacturers are leaving no stone unturned as they look to succeed and carve out additional space for themselves in the new retail environment,” says Juli Lennett, senior vice president and industry advisor, Toys, The NPD Group. “The market for grandparents is often overlooked but holds tremendous opportunity. I expect this segment will continue to grow as Baby Boomers’ children, who are mostly Millennials, enter parenthood.”
More than one-third of grandparents’ toy purchases were for children ages 2-4, with grandparents over-indexing on infant/toddler/preschool toys, outdoor and sport toys. Eighty-five percent of respondents bought their items in physical stores, while 72 percent shopped online.
Online shopping rates for the group have more than doubled with grandparents spending 3.5 times more per toy online than they do at brick-and-mortar stores. Sixty percent of grandparents who shopped at Toys “R” Us have plans to shop for toys online in the future.
“Retailers and manufacturers seeking to reach more grandparents need a solid online strategy,” says Lennett. “On top of that, as more grandparents migrate to the online channel post-Toys “R” Us, there is an important opportunity here to grow grandparent dollars.”
Through the alliance, each company will leverage its experience in entertainment for the benefit of its clients.
“It was important to me to work with like-minded experts in complementary fields, offering a solution to our clients’ needs,” says Tina-Louise Foster, founder, Nimbus Nine. “Nimbus Nine's mantra is 'Great people, great projects, positive results.' This alliance with the most respected media agency, Generation Media, reflects our mutual wish to offer clients a bespoke service of expansion to their existing business.”
Nimbus Nine was founded in April 2018. Current clients include Striker Entertainment, Rockpool Licensing and Jug Technologies. Generation Media was founded in May 2008 and has established itself in the entertainment field with an expertise in children, young people and families.
Authentic Brands Group has teamed with brand management and retail development company Shanghai Fanking to roll out 30 Vision Street Wear shop-in-shop locations across China.
The shopping destinations offer a variety of apparel for men and women including black, white and red logo.
"For many years Vision Street Wear has played a significant role in skate, music, and streetwear culture," says Nick Woodhouse, president and chief marketing officer, ABG. "Launching Vision Street Wear shop-in-shop locations are a tribute to the brand’s continued impact on pop culture and are an ignition point in China as we embark on bringing this iconic brand to an emerging streetwear generation. We are thrilled to be expanding the brand’s global impact with Shanghai Fanking in China.”
The deal will see shop-in-shops open in Beijing, Harbin, Shanxi, Szechuan, Guangxi and Guangdong through 2018. The company will look to expand to more than 100 locations by 2022.
“Vision Street Wear is coming to China! I’m so proud to be a part of this incredible brand with its rich history now being introduced to a country where there is so much fashion, art and culture," says Steve Aoki, DJ, producer and co-owner, Vision Street Wear. "It’s great to be a part of the introduction of Vision in China, and I look forward to growing the brand’s fan base in conjunction with Shanghai Fanking in this important trend-forward market.”
