Record numbers of retailers take part in BLE’s Retail Mentoring Programme Brand Licensing Europe - June 2014

 
Brand Licensing Europe 2014, the Advanstar organised exhibition, has announced the number of retailers taking part in its Retail Mentoring Programme 2014 has increased by over 60% since last year.

The only programme of its kind in the UK, this year boasts involvement from 10 leading retailers including Lakeland, Debenhams, Boots PLC, J Sainsbury PLC, Tesco PLC, Miniclub, and for the first time Marks and Spencer, compared to six last year.

Launched five years ago with two retailers on board, the initiative offers delegates a deeper understanding of the licensing industry. Over 50 buying professionals from nominated retailers take part in workshops and seminars, including the LIMA Licensing Essentials Course and Spring Fling in May in partnership with LIMA UK, culminating at Brand Licensing Europe in October.

Matthew Canwell, Director of Buying at Lakeland, said: “We decided to join the mentoring scheme last year as it gave our buyers an opportunity to get a 360 degree picture of how the industry works. Clearly to make a licence work well, you need to ensure there is collaboration between licensor and licensee – and this scheme enabled us to understand how to make that possible. Our participants found it extremely valuable, hence our involvement again this year.”

Brand Licensing Europe 2014 takes place from 07 - 09 October 2014 at London’s Olympia. For more information please visit www.brandlicensing.eu.