Retailers Flock to Judge The Licensing Awards Product Categories

With the judging panel reading like a ‘who’s who’ of retailing and a record number of over 5,000 licensed products entered, The Licensing Awards’ Product Judging Day, which took place on June 20 at London’s Business Design Centre, was certainly impressive.

“It made you feel really proud to see the vast array of innovative products that had been entered there on display and witness almost 80 of the UK’s leading retail buyers giving such serious consideration to decide which they felt were the worthy finalists,” commented Ian Hyder, director of The Licensing Awards and The Licensing Source Book (which owns and organises the awards). “It is very gratifying that more and more retailers are happy to give up their time to be a part of the judging process, from their feedback it’s clear that they find it a very valuable exercise.”

The expansive retail judging panel included buyers from key retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Bhs, Next, Avon, Waterstones, Boots, Marks and Spencer, Clinton Cards, Mothercare, Debenhams, TKMaxx, Harrods, Primark, John Lewis, QD Stores, Ryman, TU Clothing, House of Fraser, Argofield, British Museum and HMV. Each judged the huge range of products according to strict guidelines. While doing so of course they took the opportunity to trendspot across the whole product gamut from apparel to gifts, toys to foods, publishing to homewares.

Commenting Oliver Campbell, menswear buyer for Sainsbury's said: “I found it really useful to see the application of licences across all sectors as well as my own. From a trend perspective it's an excellent event for my colleagues and myself to be involved with”.

Mothercare's Barbara Robinson added her endorsement: “There are so many fabulous products here and it's great to see some real creativity. Attending the Awards judging day is a very useful exercise for us.”

The list of finalists will be announced over the next few weeks.

This year’s Awards event is shaping up to be the biggest and the best yet. Taking place on September 13th, for the first time in The Great Room at London prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, the evening is destined to be a memorable one for the 1,300 retailers, licensees, licensors and industry suppliers set to attend.

You can now get a real ‘behind the scenes’ look at the run up to The Licensing Awards by following them on Facebook and Twitter – click through from the Awards website (www.thelicensingawards.co.uk, become a fan and follow the news as it happens.

Tables for the Licensing Awards are selling fast, tickets are available via the Awards website or from Tracey at Event Solutions and Promotions on 01372 841001 or e-mail tracey@eventsol.co.uk