COMMERCE TOWNSHIP – The Sharper Image on Monday announced the signing of a $540 million, five-year licensing agreement with HoMedics, the world’s leading manufacturer of personal health, wellness and relaxation products. The comprehensive agreement covers the use of The Sharper Image brand and intellectual property across a broad range of product categories.
HoMedics has been selected as a primary strategic licensee for The
Sharper Image brand as it transforms its business model from a retailer to
a global lifestyle brand licensor. Under this agreement, HoMedics will
offer uniquely featured products in categories including: Home Environment,
Electronics, Men’s Personal Care, Men’s Gifts, Health & Wellness, Weather
and Concierge. The objective is to expand upon The Sharper Image’s rich
brand history which represents the values of quality, excitement and
innovation.
“The Sharper Image is an iconic brand with tremendous positive consumer
awareness, and we’re extremely excited about how HoMedics can further boost
our leadership in personal health, wellness and relaxation products while
remaining true to The Sharper Image brand legacy,” said Ron Ferber,
president of HoMedics. “The agreement will allow us to enter into new
categories that will complement our core business and will allow HoMedics
to introduce new product innovations with a wider range of price points.”
In May of this year, a group of private investors purchased The Sharper
Image brand and intellectual property and have developed a global licensing
strategy for wholesale, e-commerce, catalog and direct-to-retail (DTR)
businesses. This approach will allow The Sharper Image brand to exist
outside the confines of its historic core channels and on the shelves of
leading retailers throughout the world.
“We are pleased that the strength of The Sharper Image brand has
attracted a licensee of HoMedics’ caliber,” said Federico de Bellegarde,
vice president of Licensing at The Sharper Image. “HoMedics is a terrific
fit for The Sharper Image brand due to their extensive product development
capabilities coupled with their significant relationships in the retail
community. HoMedics understands The Sharper Image brand DNA and, with their newly developed products, shall set the standard for our brand objectives.”
HoMedics will introduce their first collection of Sharper Image
licensed products at both the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in
January 2009 and the International Housewares Show in Chicago in March
2009. Products will be distributed through the Retail, Catalog, E-commerce
and Hospitality industries across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Australia
and New Zealand.
For more information, click on HoMedics.Com
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