SONY MUSIC STOCKS UP ON U.K. MERCH

Sony Music’s merchandising division, The Thread Shop, will acquire the U.K.-based independent music-merchandising company Probity Europe.

Probity will become a new entrepreneurial division of The Thread Shop. It will continue to be led by founder Mark Stredwick, who will report to Howard Lau, Head of The Thread Shop.

Based in London, Probity boasts a roster that includes Metallica, Noel Gallagher, Oasis and Robert Plant.

“Probity is an established independent leader in the European merch market, representing some of the world’s most iconic artists,” Lau said. “With The Thread Shop, we can offer our clients and the music community an even more robust set of merchandising opportunities to complement their music revenues, branding and marketing.”