Sanrio and Universal Parks & Resorts Open New Hello Kitty® Retail Store Concept

The Hello Kitty Shop at Universal Studios Florida marks Sanrio's official retail debut and Hello Kitty's first appearance at a theme park in North America. The supercute retail experience, located along Hollywood Boulevard in the theme park, offers specialty merchandise including stationery, home goods, apparel, accessories, collectibles and confectionery treats. The majority of product will be exclusive to the park. Additional Sanrio characters including Chococat^®, My Melody^®, Badtz-Maru^®, Pompompurin^TM and Keroppi^® will also be featured.

"As Sanrio's first official retail debut at a theme park in North America, the Hello Kitty Shop offers a new retail experience for fans of all ages," said Jill Koch, Sr. Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio, Inc. "Our partnership with Universal delivers a new touch point for the brand through special products, unique merchandising and a fully branded store experience that incorporates many of our beloved characters." 

The Hello Kitty Shop at Universal Studios Florida offers a supercute, immersive environment that fans of all ages will love. Customers can shop for exclusive merchandise, enjoy photo opportunities, create souvenir versions of Hello Kitty's signature bow, mail letters and receive small gifts. With four specially themed areas within the Hello Kitty Shop, fans can find treats at the "Hello Kitty Sweet Yummy Shop," loungewear and home goods in the "Hello Kitty Lounge" area, multi-character accessories, stationery and gifts in the "Hello Kitty and Friends Town" area, and collectibles featuring Sanrio characters reimagined with classic Universal properties in the "Hello Kitty at the Movies" area. New products and designs will be released regularly so fans will always find something new. 

Beginning March 31^st, guests can also say hello to Hello Kitty herself. Hello Kitty will make regular appearances, greet fans and take photos.

About Sanrio
Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty, who recently celebrated her 40^th Anniversary.    Home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, Badtz-Maru and Keroppi, Sanrio was founded on the 'small gift, big smile' philosophy – that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique products and experiences.  Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 130 countries and upwards of 15,000 U.S. retail locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 80 Sanrio boutiques. For more information please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

About Universal Parks & Resorts
Universal Parks & Resorts, a unit of Comcast NBCUniversal, offers guests around the globe today's most relevant and popular entertainment experiences. With three-time Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, its theme parks are known for immersive experiences that feature some of the world's most thrilling and technologically advanced film- and television-based attractions. Comcast NBCUniversal is a global media and technology company that owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news, sports and entertainment networks; Universal Pictures, a premier motion picture company; significant television production operations; a leading television stations group; and world-renowned theme parks. 

Comcast NBCUniversal wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes Universal CityWalk Hollywood. It also owns Universal Orlando Resort, a world-class destination resort featuring two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure), four resort hotels, and Universal CityWalk Orlando.  Comcast NBCUniversal also has license agreements with Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan and Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore.  In addition, Comcast NBCUniversal has recently announced plans for a theme park in Beijing and an indoor theme park to be developed as part of the Galactica Park project in Moscow.

Sanrio Contact: Orsi Public Relations
Dyann Hawkins/Racine Diaz (323) 874-4073
Email 
Universal Contact: Universal Orlando Resort Public Relations
(407) 363-8220
http://media.universalorlando.com

SOURCE Sanrio Inc

Related Links

http://www.sanrio.com