Iconic Brands Collaborate to Delight Fans of
All Ages with Exclusive Products and New Retail Experience in
Premier Lifestyle Center
ST.
LOUIS, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW), a pioneer
in experiential retail, announced today the introduction of an
exclusive 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty® make-your-own
plush and plans for a first-of-its-kind Workshop location designed
in collaboration with Sanrio®, the parent company of Hello Kitty®
and Friends. The grand opening of the new Build-A-Bear x Hello
Kitty® and Friends Workshop, situated in the prestigious Westfield
Century City in Los Angeles, is
expected to occur in time to celebrate Hello Kitty's November
anniversary with special events and exclusive products along with
the personalized, memorable, "building" process for which
Build-A-Bear is known.
These exciting events reflect a new chapter
in the company's longstanding, successful relationship with
Sanrio.
These exciting events reflect a new chapter in the company's
longstanding, successful relationship with Sanrio, which has driven
lifetime sales of more than three million Hello Kitty and Friends
themed plush items and led to the creation of the exclusive
50th Anniversary Hello Kitty® make-your-own plush. The
unique Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty® and Friends Workshop experience
location is expected to benefit from the ongoing fandom
surrounding the collaboration between these two multi-generational
iconic brands and coincides with the rise of "kidulting," the
increasing trend of adults purchasing toy and plush products for
themselves, which recently reached an all-time high, according to
data from the research firm, Circana.
"We are delighted to collaborate with Sanrio on the first-ever
Hello Kitty and Friends inspired Build-A-Bear Workshop location,
especially as we celebrate the remarkable 50th anniversary of this
beloved character," said Anjali
Khosla, Vice President of Brand Management of Build-A-Bear
Workshop. "Beyond this milestone moment, the timing is also
supportive of the strategic expansion of our global retail
footprint as well as the purposeful extension of our addressable
market to include teens and adults – which is also a key consumer
for Hello Kitty and Friends."
"We are excited to expand our Build-A-Bear collection with the
launch of this special 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty plush, bringing
fans a unique collectible that they can cherish for years to come,"
said Jill Koch, Senior Vice
President of Marketing and Brand Management of Sanrio, Inc. "As our
partnership with Build-A-Bear continues to grow and evolve, we are
looking forward to introducing new products and activations that
inspire playfulness, fun and creating memorable moments
together."
The new 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty® plush debuts today online
and rolls out in participating Build-A-Bear Workshop locations in
the coming weeks. This exclusive, limited-edition make-your-own
Hello Kitty plush commemorates the milestone anniversary with
sparkly accents, a festive new dress with a playful twist on Hello
Kitty's signature bow, making this one-of-a-kind item a must-have
for collectors and fans. In addition to Hello Kitty, fans can also
select from the broader Build-A-Bear Sanrio collection including
Kuromi™, Cinnamoroll™, My Melody™, Tuxedosam™, and more at Sanrio
Plush Toy & Stuffed Animal Collection (buildabear.com).
Grand opening information of the one-of-a-kind Build-A-Bear x
Hello Kitty® and Friends Workshop featuring an array of exclusive
make-your own versions of Sanrio characters and signature
Build-A-Bear furry friends as a part of the immersive personalized
experience, is expected to be announced at a later date. To receive
more information, sign up here:
https://www.buildabear.com/build-a-bear-hello-kitty-los-angeles-california-store.
About Build-A-Bear
Since its beginning in 1997,
Build-A-Bear has evolved to become a beloved multi-generational
brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life"
where guests of all ages make their own "furry friends" in
celebration and commemoration of life moments. Guests create their
own stuffed animals by participating in the stuffing, dressing,
accessorizing, and naming of their own teddy bears and other plush
toys based on the Company's own intellectual property and in
conjunction with a variety of best-in-class licenses. The hands-on
and interactive nature of our more than 500 company-owned,
partner-operated and franchise experience locations around the
world, combined with Build-A-Bear's pop-culture appeal, often
fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection with consumers,
and has enabled the Company to expand beyond its retail stores to
include e-commerce sales on www.buildabear.com and non-plush
branded consumer categories via out-bound licensing agreements with
leading manufacturers, as well as the creation of engaging content
via Build-A-Bear Entertainment (a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear
Workshop, Inc.). The brand's newest communications campaign, "The
Stuff You Love," commemorates more than a quarter-century of
creating cherished memories worldwide. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
(NYSE: BBW) posted consolidated total revenues of $486.1 million for fiscal 2023. For more
information, visit the Investor Relations section of
buildabear.com.
About Sanrio®
Sanrio® is the global lifestyle brand
best known for Hello Kitty® who was created in 1974, and home to
many other beloved character brands such as My Melody™, Kuromi™,
LittleTwinStars™, Cinnamoroll™, Pompompurin™, gudetama™,
Aggretsuko™, Chococat™, Badtz-maru™ and Keroppi™. Sanrio was
founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and
friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has
served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and
activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer
experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio's business extends into
the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming
offerings and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product
lineup which is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to
bring smiles to everyone's faces with their vision of "One World, Connecting Smiles." To learn more
about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and
@hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and
subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.
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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop