By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Walmart is placing its bets on metaverse technologies as it announced the acquisition of an AR developer, and launched new augmented reality shopping experiences. The latter initiative sees Walmart updating its customer shopping app with two new augmented reality (AR) solutions, which are rolling out this month on its iOS app. The new feature … [Read more...] about Technology: Walmart Expands Its Metaverse Ambitions
Ecommerce
Amazon Marks Prime Day With Dream House in London
Ecommerce giant Amazon is launching the Prime Day Dream House in London July 6, with a slate of entertainment to mark Prime Day. Prime Day has become a cultural and retail phenomenon, rivalling Black Friday and Christmas as one of the big shopping events of the year. Amazon’s annual Prime Day event takes place on July 12 and 13 this year, and offers millions of deals globally … [Read more...] about Amazon Marks Prime Day With Dream House in London
Food & Beverage: Hut Group Launches Collection with UK Confectioner Swizzels
The Hut Group, the renowned direct-to-consumer platform, has launched a collection with Swizzels Matlow for their portfolio of brands. Brokered by Blonde Sheep Licensing, the license includes multiple products including apparel, homewares, gift, and much more, and first launched in February with ranges on www.IWOOT.com, www.zavvi.com and www.veryneko.com sites. Swizzels is … [Read more...] about Food & Beverage: Hut Group Launches Collection with UK Confectioner Swizzels
Streaming Wars: Netflix Fires Back At Amazon With Walmart Merchandise Deal
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The world's leading streamer Netflix has signed a key deal with retail giant Walmart to market merchandise based on popular shows on its service. Experts in the licensing industry believe the move is partly a long-planned expansion of Netflix's already announced Consumer Products strategy, but also a response to moves made by competitor Amazon … [Read more...] about Streaming Wars: Netflix Fires Back At Amazon With Walmart Merchandise Deal
Amazon Unveils Top Toy List For Xmas 2021
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Amazon made a list, checked it twice, and issued its top toy list for the holidays, which you can buy online whether you're naughty or nice. Amazon says its Toys We Love list is the longest its ever compiled, and it includes more than 70 family-friendly products that are found exclusively on Amazon. Many of those are new entrants in the toy … [Read more...] about Amazon Unveils Top Toy List For Xmas 2021
Brand Central Announces E-Commerce Division
The global licensing consultancy Brand Central announced this week the launch of its new e-commerce division through a partnership with LA-based e-commerce platform provider, The Missing Piece. The move comes as brands and retailers have shifted massively toward e-commerce, a trend accelerated by pandemic restrictions in 2020 and continuing into 2021. Brand Central says the … [Read more...] about Brand Central Announces E-Commerce Division
Special Report: Licensing In The Metaverse
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief This month in The Licensing Letter newsletter we're covering what may be the biggest story in licensing over the past decade and for the decade to come: the rise of licensing in what is known as the Metaverse. So, what is the Metaverse? Essentially, it refers to a virtual world that is entered into by humans in the form of digital avatars, … [Read more...] about Special Report: Licensing In The Metaverse
Eddie Bauer Being Acquired By Authentic Brands
Retail and consumer products giant Authentic Brands and its partially owned subsidiary SPARC Group have reached an agreement to buy the outdoor clothing chain Eddie Bauer in a deal expected to close June 1. Deal terms have not yet been disclosed. Authentic Brands Group LLC is a global force in retail with more than 6,000 outlets worldwide, generating roughly $14 billion in … [Read more...] about Eddie Bauer Being Acquired By Authentic Brands
What Consumers Will be Looking for in a Post-COVID World
By Alicia Rosa Brand Central Insights Consumers are starting to see the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. This new vaccinated world will be a testing ground to see if the pandemic-driven trends and habits will stay. At Brand Central Insights we’ve been able to look at the trends from the last year at a bird’s-eye view to see what’s going to stick around for the long … [Read more...] about What Consumers Will be Looking for in a Post-COVID World
Fanatics Partners With NFL and Amazon In Major Strategic Shift
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Amazon is the dominant force in the Western world when it comes to ecommerce, with the one exception of pro-sports branded sports gear and memorabilia, and that's because the market is largely cornered by Fanatics. Now, that may be changing due to a game changing new partnership between the National Football League, Fanatics, and Amazon. The … [Read more...] about Fanatics Partners With NFL and Amazon In Major Strategic Shift