KITE PACKAGING LEADS THE WAY WITH NEW APP The employee share-owned company is paving the way in the UK packaging scene as the first to launch an app to support customer ordering. The app, which runs on all smart phones and mobile devices, will make the experience of purchasing packaging a notably smoother and faster transaction for Kite’s credit account customers. Customers will be able to sign in to the app using their existing login details to access their tailored products at their contracted prices as well as their payment, shipping and order history. Pending orders can also be viewed and tracked within the app. A quick scan feature helps users easily find items by reading product barcodes and yielding search results for them. The app enables instant scanning and ordering from the convenience of a mobile device, saving customers both time and money by streamlining their stock taking and ordering processes. Kite’s clever incorporation of mobile technology into their offering provides easier and faster ordering functionality, a personalised experience, and round-the-clock access to their packaging services at the touch of a button. To find out more about Kite Packaging and the services they offer, please visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk ROCKET EXPANDS FUZZBALLS PROGRAM WITH NEW LICENSEES Rocket Licensing, which represents the phenomenally popular Fuzzballs property, is building on the successful consumer products offering for the award-winning property and has already announced the addition of a number of new partners to a fast-growing licensing campaign. One billion stickers used on social media underlines the reach of the brand that began life as a Tumblr web comic. The stories of the group of (kawaii) characters, staring a cat named Whisky, Timmy the Tiger, Ollie the bunny, and a host of friends inspired a major licensing push. The raft of new licensees include; Kap Toys (plush & squishes), Brain Box Candy (social stationery and gifts) and VNR Trading (pop culture confectionery and drinks). These names have joined a UK licensee list that already includes Indiego, with entertainment distribution for t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, Pyramid International for wall art, stationery and gifting, and Pinfinity for augmented reality collectible pins. Fuzzballs is experiencing great success at retail especially with HMV, which first stocked product last summer and positions the brand front and centre of its new stores. Fuzzballs also features in Forbidden Planet’s stores and website, with over 30 SKUs including keychains, badges, travel card holders, mugs and more. Scribbler features the brand prominently online and in-store, and Hot Topic launched an online range in January this year. This has now grown to 184 SKUs. Meanwhile the brand also has its own ecommerce site – www.fuzzballs.co – which has enjoyed huge year-on-year sales growth since 2020. The values of the Fuzzballs brand have captured the imagination of fans throughout the world, with a vast core audience consisting of teenage and student girls, millennials, gift buyers of all ages and pop culture followers. Each Fuzzball has their own unique personality and backstory that not only helps in the world building but is highly relatable to consumers and a key factor in their love of the brand. www.rocketlicensing.com POETIC BRANDS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF NEW FOOTWEAR DIVISION Poetic Brands, the leading and innovative apparel licensee, has announced the launch of its newly developed footwear division. The first signing for this new division is Original Squishmallows – the lovable, ultra-soft, collectible plush phenomenon from Jazwares. Producing children’s footwear and slippers initially, this partnership is the perfect way for Poetic Brands to showcase their new line. Commercial Director of Poetic Brands, Anne Bradford has spent six months developing the new product line and says: “This has been a really exciting brand to work on and we’re so proud of the product line. We can’t wait to bring the ultra-squeezable, snuggly Squishmallows brand into our footwear division.” INDUSTRY NEWS 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=