Stanley Black & Decker Signs Craftsman Licensing Deals

Stanley Black & Decker has signed 20 licensing deals for the Craftsman brand and expects to have double that amount in place by year-end, says Beanstalk’s Maya Kobray, whose agency represents the brand. The first two licensed products – a Briggs & Stratton powerwasher ($329) and GreatStar’s flashlights and lanterns launched at Lowe’s in mid-June. GreatStar, which also is a Stanley brand licensee, also will have Craftsman toys available by Q4.

Contact:

Beanstalk, Maya Kobray, Brand Management Dir., 212-303-1158, maya.kobray@beanstalk.com

Stanley Black & Decker, Todd Snellenburg, VP Sales, 443-927-5483, todd.snellenburg@sbdinc.com

Executives:

Simon Waters, Hasbro SVP and General Manager of Global Consumer Products, appointed SVP and General Manager of the recently acquired Power Rangers franchise. He will be replaced  by Casey Collins, ex-World Wrestling Entertainment, who will handle licensing of the Power Rangers brand and be based at Hasbro’s Pawtucket, RI headquarters.

Contact:

Hasbro Simon Waters, SVP General Manager Power Rangers franchise, 818-478-4804, simon.waters@hasbro.com

Nathan’s Famous Lowers Royalties in bid to Gain Business at Sam’s Club

Nathan’s Famous lowered the royalty rate it charges hot dog licensee John Morell & Co. in a bid to expand food service business at Sam’s Club, the company said in an SEC filing. The move to lower the rate came as licensing revenue tied to the agreement with Morrell rose 12.2% to $7.29 million in Q1 ended June 24 on an 8.5% increase in unit volume. Overall, Nathan’s Famous’ licensing income rose 9.5% to $8 million as royalty revenue increased 8.1% to $8 million. In addition to John Morrell, Nathan’s also has licensing agreements with Saratoga Specialties (spices), Utz (potato chips and salty snacks) and Lamb Weston (crinkle cut fries). Overall, Nathan’s net income rose 64% to $4.79 million despite an 8.1% decline in revenue to $20.4 million, due largely to a 5% decline in average selling price. Nathan’s royalty payments from franchisees fell 5.2% to $778,000 as sales at franchise stores dropped 7.9% to $17.3 million due largely to there being fewer stores – 271 versus 279 – than a year ago.

Contact:

Nathan’s Famous, Ronald De Voss, Chief Financial Officer, 516-338-8500

Gildan Posts Q2 Net Income Gain Amid Sales Decline Licensed Products

Gildan posted a 1.2% rise in net income in Q2 ended June 30 as revenue jumped 6.8% to $764.2 million despite a sharp decline in licensed Under Armour socks. Sales of hosiery, underwear and socks, which include the Under Armour brand, fell 23.8% to $139 million as mass retailers shifted business to private labels, CEO Glenn Chamandy told analysts.

As a result, Gildan widened the forecast for a decline in annual sales of socks, hosiery and underwear to $85 million from $70 million for the year ending Dec. 31. Mass retailers account for 70% of all underwear and socks sold in the U.S. “There is a commitment there (among mass retailers) to driving private label and it’s not non-name brands,” says Chamandy. “There is more process in merchandising and development being put into private label products so I think it is here to stay. I think in every category in mass you are going to see extensive private label.” Indeed, Gildan has signed agreements in recent months to supply private label fleece and underwear.

The downturn in hosiery, underwear and socks was offset by a 17.3% gain in sales of activewear to $625.2 million on strong sales of the American Apparel brand, company executives said. The American Apparel label, which Gildan acquired out of bankruptcy in 2016, is expected to surpass the company’s original target of $100 million sales by year-end, company executives said.

Contact:

Gildan, Glenn Chamandy, CEO, 514-735-2023, gchmandy@gildan.com

Kraft Heinz Readies Hershey’s Whipped Cream

Kraft Heinz is readying Hershey’s and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup whipped cream, moving the brands into the category for the first time and starting with the 245-store Hy-Vee grocery chain in the Midwest. The products are an extension of Kraft Heinz’s license for the Hershey’s brand, which was introduced for chocolate pudding last year.

Contact:

Hershey’s, Ernie Savo, Global Licensing Dir., 717-508-3112, esavo@hersheys.com

Self Magazine Brand Licensed for Yoga Apparel

Conde Nast’s Self Magazine brand is expanding its reach in yoga, having reached an agreement with athleisure supplier Beyond Yoga. The co-branded 12-piece collection of sweatshirts and pants, bras and leggings will launch in October as part of a test of online sales, says Conde Nast’s Kim Awad. The Self brand has also been applied to yoga mats, dumbbells and resistance bands by Argento, which signed a deal in 2016. For its part, Beyond Yoga previously fielded a licensed Kate Spade apparel collection in 2016.

Contact:

Beyond Yoga, Michelle Wahler, Co-Founder and CEO, 310-665-9773

Conde Naste, Kim Awad, Dir. Business Development Product Licensing, 212-286-3166, kim.awad@condenaste.com