Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has announced exclusive retailer content for this year’s event, which takes place from 17 November to 19 November at ExCeL London.

The following five sessions on the theme of ‘What’s Next’ will be delivered in the Retail Trends Lounge:

Wednesday 17^th November

• 9.30–10am: A Future Forecast 2022

Nick Richardson, founder and CEO of The Insights Family

The Future Forecast will provide a practical perspective on the opportunities and challenges that family trends pose to retailers.

• 12.30-1.00pm: The importance of diversity & inclusion in Licensing

Saphia Maxamed, founder of the Black Lives Matter Licensing Movement

An introduction to The Black Lives Matters Licensing Movement that will cover the current retail landscape and its lack of diversity, why change is needed, and what retail can do to help.

Thursday 18^th November

• 9.30-10am: Plant with Peppa @ Asda

Catrina O’Brien, retail development director, UK, Europe & Asia Licensing of Hasbro
and Jade Snart, sustainability and compliance expert of George at Asda

Catrina and Jade will talk about the ‘Plant with Peppa’ programme that’s teaching children about the importance of trees in the world. Peppa and Asda are pledging to plant 10,000 trees in the UK to help to rebalance the Earth’s atmosphere.

• 12-12.30pm: Agility and creativity in omni-channel retail

Julia Redman, owner of buying & sourcing consultancy Buyers Eye

and James Mooney, brand adviser of Nextail Labs

This session will look at what retailers need to focus on to maximise potential, and how to embrace the use of new technology to benefit both online and offline presence and profit.

Friday 19^th November:

• 10-10.30am: Families, experiences and the importance of toys

Gary Pope, co-founder and CEO of Kids Industries  

Gary will share data to explore how families like to shop now, and how these behaviours have amplified following the pandemic. “The importance of a great retail experience has always been significant – but now it is vital,” said Gary. “There are few categories where a great experience will more deeply engage families than toys, games and all those other marvellous things that children want to play with.”

All the sessions will be recorded and available for attendees to watch on-demand as part of the BLE virtual follow-up, which runs from 30 November to 1 December. Visitors to the BLE can register for free at www.brandlicensing.eu.

The BLE Sustainability Activation, in partnership with Products of Change, will also feature relevant content for retailers as it inspires attendees towards a more sustainable future through product showcases from industry pioneers. Tesco and George at Asda will both feature, with the latter highlighting its 3D design technology and 100% responsibly sourced school uniforms.

BLE features 2,500-plus brands and more than 7,500 licensees, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and licensing agents. It is part of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, the licensing industry’s trade show organiser and media partner.