Managing director Laurence Prince on how the licensing landscape is changing.
The Brexit process has been triggered and negotiations for the UK to leave the EU are underway. But what, if any, difference has it made to the licensing industry?
Is UK manufacturing actually benefiting from the current situation and is there such a thing as a ‘Brexit bounce’?
All this week, The Source will be asking a selection of industry executives – from licensees and brand owners, through to agents and support companies – for their views.
Today: Laurence Prince, md, Danilo
“Imported goods – produced in Europe and the Far East – are now costing 10-15% more and these costs have to be passed on to retailers. We’ve swallowed some of the costs, but the business has to stay profitable. The landscape is changing – licensees costs are up, retailers costs are up, wages and rates have gone up – we all need to work together.
“Personally I would have been happy to stay in Europe, but we have to live with it. We have to make it work and at Danilo we are seeing as this as an opportunity to continue to grow our business. We are already experiencing increased sales in Europe and Rest of World this year; we’re not complacent and our business is thriving.
“We are continuing to work with a variety of excellent brands and growing our portfolio, under an exciting new team at Danilo and delivering product innovation, excellent award winning designs, and focusing on calendars, diaries, greeting cards and gift wrap products.
“We are focusing firmly on our business and continuing to grow this and Brexit is so far very positive for Danilo.”
This feature originally appeared in the autumn 2017 edition of Licensing Source Book. Click here to read the full publication.
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