The team behind Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has announced the first tranche of licensing and retail experts speaking at the inaugural Licensing for Retail conference on 19 April at Convene in London.

Organised in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, the new retail event has already attracted sign-ups from almost 140 retailers. This year’s BLE Retail Mentoring Programme delegates will be out in force, including delegates from Asda, Claire’s, FatFace, HMV, New Look, John Lewis, Very Group, Tesco, and Morrisons.

Four themes define the agenda:

• Setting the Scene – The power of brands at retail
• Licensing and You – How brand licensing is so much more than ‘brand slap’
• The Future – How will brands be represented at retail in 5-10 years?
• Coming Together – Licensors, Licensees, and Retailers

Licensing for Retail speakers include:

Consumer Trends panel: Retail Week editor-in-chief Charlotte Hardie and guests

“Covid, the cost of living crisis, rising inflation, increased choice and customisation offered by technology – these are just some of the trends impacting shifting consumer spending in recent times,” said Charlotte Hardie.

“Never has there been a better time or a greater need for retail to find a point of differentiation. I’m looking forward to discussing how licensing can help solve many of the challenges facing retail at April’s Licensing for Retail conference.”

Brands with Purpose: How successful licensing is so much more than brand slap

• Kingston Myles, head of commercial development, English Heritage

Licensing Chose Me panel session:

• Ruth Golightly, design, sales and licensing director, Blues Group
• Harris McQueen, sales and marketing director EME, Outerstuff
• Chaired by Will Stewart, founder and MD, The Point.1888

How will we shop in 10 years’ time?

• Warren Parker Mills, CEO, beforeSTORES and CEO Fashion Metaverse Club
• Russ Singler, founder, MetaGallery

Licensing for Retail has two ‘sponsored sizzle’ slots remaining. These are the only sponsored content on the agenda. Interested brands can email Laura Freedman-Dagg at laura.freedmandagg@informa.com or Steve Manners at smanners@licensing.org.

Award-winning licensing agent, Caroline Mickler, will be using her slot to speed pitch six brands: The Beatles, Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy, Horrid Henry, Molang, The Masked Singer and several Stanley Kubrick movies.

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