Little Brother Books on track to sell over one million Annuals this year and reveals Christmas 2021 line-up

Little Brother Books is on track to sell over one million Annuals this year, with more than 2,500 dedicated FSDUs across major retailers in the run up to this Christmas. The feat will make the company the UK’s number one publisher of licensed annuals for the fourth year running.

Supporting its chances, Little Brother Books has details a new line-up of titles for the festive season this year, with 12 new Annuals in the collection, including titles and brands such as Blippi, CoComelon, Gigantosaurus, Roblox, and Minecraft. Each title will be hitting shelves from this September.

In an agreement inked with The Point 1881, there will be 2022 Annuals for the popular children’s YouTube live-action character, Blippi, as well as the educational songs and nursery rhymes brand, CoComelon. Also new to LBB is Gigantosaurus Annual 2022, based on the vibrant animated TV series and book licensed through Riverside Brands, as well as a new Ultimate Guide to Among Us.

The other eight titles featured in the 2022 line-up include Shoot Annual 2022, L.O.L. Annual 2022, Barbie Annual 2022, World of Dinosaurs 2022 by JurassicExplorers, Little Mix 2020 Special by PopWinners, as well as three additional ‘Ultimate Gaming Guides’ – GamesWarrior’s Ultimate Guide to Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft.

Little Brother Books reached the number one spot in Annuals publishing sector at the end of 2020, overcoming the plight that struck the market due to the pandemic, and expanding its retail listings and partnerships further. This year, the team is looking ready to strengthen its market position with exclusive retailer support and dedicated displays in high profile stores.

Managing director, Matthew Reynolds, said: “Like many businesses, without doubt 2020 was a rollercoaster but we came through it with flying colours and unbelievably had our most successful year to date. It meant we had to focus more than ever on new and existing retail partnerships to demonstrate that our leading products and brands were the ones to support and will deliver much needed incremental impulse sales for 2020.

“I’m pleased to say that our number one ranges delivered exactly what we promised. This success has given us the perfect opportunity to continue a growth trajectory for 2021. Having four exciting new titles on board with us is testament to the continued demand for Annuals which appeal from preschool to young adults alike.

“We can’t wait to see them hit the market from September this year. Annuals are a very important part of Christmas stocking filler purchases and the significant volumes we and our retailers sell each year shows families love to buy them at Christmas.”

Little Brother Books welcomes LOL Surprise, Barbie, and Fortnite to the annuals roster

LOL Surprise, Barbie, Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft will each be expanding their presence across the children’s Annuals market, thanks to a bolstered new portfolio of titles to launch from Little Brother Books.

The UK Annuals publisher is preparing to launch a range of six new titles this spring/summer, which will include three Fun, Play and Learn titles hitting shelves this May, featuring the popular toy brands LOL Surprise and Barbie. The pair will be joined by World of Dinosaurs.

This season will also see the launch of three Ultimate Gaming Guides, including GamesWarrior’s Ultimate Guide to Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft.

All six titles will feature new content created exclusively by Little Brother Books and will each be priced at £5.99. The series will go on sale this mlnth across Amazon, TJ Morris, Sainsbury’s, Smyths Toys, and other book retailers.

Little Brother Books believes that high visibility at retail is key to driving impulse sales and has been successful in placing 1000s of dedicated FSDU/POS in major retailers over recent years.

Matthew Reynolds, MD at Little Brother Books, said: “Our mid-year Annuals and Gaming Guides launching this season are testament to our success in refreshing this market and I’m thrilled that we have six titles to delight parents and children alike this summer with six of the hottest properties in the market.

“Despite 2020’s challenges, Little Brother Books once again dominated the Annuals market, and we retained our position as the number one publisher in this sector for the third consecutive year with unrivaled distribution for our leading brands.

“2021 is shaping up to be even more successful with other major retailers coming onboard, as well as exciting new brands joining our portfolio.”