CMC 2019: Report – Clicks and Mortar: The New Retail Space
This panel discussed the way in which merchandising, the retail space and the licensing industry is adapting to the digital disruption it's facing. With a seismic shift in the retail environment as 60% of purchases are now online - which has grown from 20% in 2017 - how are brand owners today creating new consumer product stories by developing their own direct-to-consumer platforms for the paying audience? Takeaway: We need to look at consumers (millennial parents) and where they want to shop. The more IP owners can demonstrate their products are wanted by consumers - the better placed they are to get into traditional retail landscapes. Licensing spikes are coming from non-traditional TV content now (such as gaming - e.g.…
Sarah Fletcher (Maximum Licensing) asked the question: 'Is it tough for new IP to break through?' Takeaway: • Amazon must help to police licensing better. • Licensed products help reluctant readers get a book in their hands. • Licensing is not about exploiting but extending a property. Detail: Ian Wickham (Licensing Link Europe) was first to answer. 'Yes, it is difficult for new IP to break through'. With major retailers going and others in trouble, the market place is tough. Consolidation is a further problem, the proposed merger of Sainsburys and Asda especially. It’s the discounters who can be used to launch products now, as Warners have with Lidl and Aldi. ‘It’s tough at the moment but you have to…
