Inside Licensing News and Notes, March 8, 2018
Ross Stores See Room for 2,500 Locations by 2028
Ross Stores sees room for 2,500 U.S. stores by 2028 as it builds out from its base in the Midwest and California, President Michael O’Sullivan told analysts. The chain plans to open 100 stores this year, up from 90 in 2017, including 75 Ross stores and 25 of its off-price dd’s Discounts. Ross currently has 1,340 stores under its own banner and 193 dd’s Discounts. Overall, Ross’ net income in Q4 ended Feb. 3 rose 49.8% to $451 million as revenue increased 14% to $4.1 billion on a 5% gain in same-store sales. It forecasts a 4-5% revenue increase this year on a 1-2% gain in same-store sales, down from a 4% comp-store? rise in each of the past three years.
Contact:
Ross Stores, Michael O’Sullivan, Pres., 925-965-4400
Pets First Signs Dual MLB/MLBPA License
Pets First Co. will field MLB player-identified pet jerseys, bandanas and collars under a deal with MLB and the MLB Players Association. First products will arrive in May, says Pets First’s Mark Sok, and will feature New York Yankees Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, Los Angeles Dodger Clayton Kershaw, Cubs outfielder Kris Bryant, Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani and Houston Astro Jose Altuve. While Pets First is paying dual royalties to MLB and MLPA, it is keeping prices the same as those for MLB team-only products, says Sok. Pets also is a NFL Players Inc. licensee, but has no plans for dual-licensed products for football.
Contact:
Pets First Co., Mark Sok, National Sales Mgr., 908-220-2900 x300, mark@petsfirstco.com
Sensio Launching Brim Coffee Makers
The Brim decaffeinated coffee brand, famous for it’s “Fill it to the Rim with Brim” advertising slogan, is being resurrected, this time for coffee makers. Housewares supplier Sensio, having purchased the brand in 2012, is positioning the product at the higher end of the market with an eight-cup pour-over coffee maker priced at $149. Amazon and Williams-Sonoma will carry the products this spring, Sensio said. Brim was at its peak of popularity between 1961-1995 when owner General Foods spent heavily on TV advertising. Sensio acquired Brim from River West IP, which had obtained the rights to it four years earlier. The Brim brand has largely been off store shelves since the early 1990s.
Contact:
Sensio, Shae Hong, CEO, 514-383-4720
