Name

United Labels

Legal name

United Labels AG

Website

https://unitedlabels.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Licensed Brand Merchandise

NAICS

Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchandising, Character & Brand Licensing (MPADALAF)

Keywords

• Licensed brand merchandise
• Character licensing products
• Entertainment merchandise wholesale
• Branded consumer products
• Licensed apparel accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Munster

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Licensed merchandise product sales: Sale of branded merchandise products (clothing, plush toys, stationery, bags, gift items, accessories) through retail and e-commerce channels. Revenue generated from product margins on items sold under licensed brand agreements.
2. Logistics and fulfillment services: Third-party logistics services including storage, picking and packing, shipping, returns management, and e-commerce fulfillment for external clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Labels AG develops, designs, sources, and distributes licensed character merchandise — including textile/apparel, stationery, bags, home and kitchen accessories, plush toys, and gift items — under more than 30 entertainment and lifestyle brands covering approximately 150 characters. The company secures licensing agreements with media and entertainment rights holders, creates product collections in-house, manages production through a global audited manufacturing network, and delivers finished goods to retail and e-commerce partners across Europe. It also operates its own logistics center offering e-commerce fulfillment, storage, dropshipment, and returns management to third-party clients.

Product overview

United Labels AG is a European brand specialist and licensed merchandise company that operates a diversified portfolio of over 30 brands with approximately 150 characters. The company offers a comprehensive merchandise offering organized around licensed entertainment brands (Harry Potter, Peanuts, Batman, Looney Tunes, SpongeBob, ACDC, KISS, and others) across product categories including textile/apparel (T-shirts, pajamas), stationery (notebooks, lunch boxes, water bottles), bags (backpacks, gym bags), home accessories (cups, bowls, thermoses, alarm clocks), and plush toys. The company provides end-to-end services including brand management, product design and development, purchasing/production, logistics/fulfillment, and quality assurance. Their logistics services also extend to third-party e-commerce fulfillment, dropshipment, and returns management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UL Logistics Service: Specialized logistics and fulfillment services offered by United Labels

Products and services

• Licensed Brand Merchandise Physical merchandise products including textile and apparel (T-shirts, pajamas, children's clothing), stationery (notebooks, pencil cases, lunch boxes, water bottles), bags and backpacks, home and kitchen accessories (cups, bowls, plates, thermoses, alarm clocks, pillows), plush toys, and gift items, all featuring licensed entertainment and lifestyle characters. Sold through retail, e-commerce, influencer and event channels in Europe.
• Brand Management and Licensing Services Securing and managing licensing agreements with media and entertainment rights holders (Disney, Warner Bros., Super RTL, Sanrio, Hasbro/Playmobil, Peanuts Worldwide) to obtain rights for branded merchandise across Europe.
• Product Development and Design
• Third-Party Logistics and E-commerce Fulfillment
• Quality Assurance Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 million items sold annually through partners

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DisneycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMajor media entertainment company granting licensing rights for Disney-branded merchandise including classic characters. One of the world's leading media and entertainment companies partnering with United Labels.
• Warner Bros.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLeading entertainment studio granting licensing rights for branded merchandise including DC Comics characters like Batman and Superman.
• Super RTLcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGerman media company and one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies partnering with United Labels for merchandise licensing.
• Peanuts Worldwide / SnoopycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFirst brand license acquired in 1991 - the company's founding brand partnership. Peanuts remains one of the core brands in the portfolio.
• Sanrio (Hello Kitty)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerJapanese entertainment company licensing Hello Kitty and related characters for branded merchandise products.
• Hasbro / PlaymobilcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerToys company licensing Playmobil branded merchandise including figures and themed products.
• Ralf RutheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndividual cartoonist who signed up with United Labels for professional self-marketing via merchandise. Represents the company's artist program for supporting individual creators.
• Hohenstein InstituteminorOthersIndependent testing body for product quality assurance including fitting tests and passform verification. Testing partner throughout the production chain.
• TÜV RheinlandminorOthersIndependent testing institute testing products and monitoring manufacturing throughout the production chain.
• TÜV SÜDminorOthersIndependent testing institute testing products and monitoring manufacturing processes.
• SGSminorOthersIndependent testing and verification services for product quality and safety compliance.
• Bureau VeritasminorOthersTesting, inspection, and certification services for product quality assurance.
• Oeko-TexminorOthersCertification standard for textile products ensuring materials are free from harmful substances. United Labels products carry Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification.
• amfori BSCIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Social Compliance Initiative providing audits and monitoring of social standards in production facilities. United Labels requires supplier compliance with BSCI standards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pyramid International: UK-based specialist in licensed posters, badges, mugs, gifts, and stationery featuring entertainment and music brands. Overlaps with United Labels on licensed gift/stationery categories and similar multi-IP portfolio approach.
• Rubie's Costume Company: World's largest designer, manufacturer, and distributor of licensed costumes and character products. Comparable as a multi-category character merchandise specialist serving retail and e-commerce globally through licensed entertainment IP.
• Underground Toys: UK-based designer and distributor of licensed collectibles, gifts, and novelties tied to film, TV, and gaming brands. Comparable as a European-focused character merchandise distributor serving retail and e-commerce.
• GB Eye: UK-based producer of licensed posters, prints, greeting cards, and giftware featuring film, TV, gaming, and music IP. Closely comparable in licensed gift/stationery product mix and European retail distribution model.
• Funko: U.S.-based pop culture licensed products company (vinyl figures, apparel, accessories) sourcing from major entertainment IP holders. Directly comparable as a licensed character merchandise specialist selling into retail and e-commerce, though at materially larger scale and with proprietary products.
• Disguise (Jesta Group): Licensed costumes, dress-up, and accessories tied to major entertainment IP (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, etc.). Comparable licensing-and-character-merchandise model with global distribution into retail and e-commerce.
• Bioworld International: Texas-based designer and manufacturer of licensed character apparel, headwear, bags, and accessories. Closely matches United Labels' licensed textile/accessory focus and big-brand portfolio approach (Disney, Warner Bros, Nickelodeon, etc.).
• Character Group: UK-listed (AIM) developer and distributor of branded toys, gifts, and stationery based on licensed characters from studios including Disney, Warner Bros, and Hasbro. Direct geographic and product overlap with United Labels, especially for back-to-school and character ranges.

Broad incumbents

• Hasbro: Global toy and entertainment company owning major character IP (including Playmobil) and operating its own licensed merchandise business. Competes with United Labels as both a licensor and a competitor for character-based shelf space.
• Mattel: Global toy and consumer products company with owned brands (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price) and active licensing programs. Adjacent competitor and licensor in the character merchandise category.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedlabelsag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-labels

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Labels