The Licensing Letter

Food and Beverages

Back to Basics: Specialty Food Gets Comfortable

Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com The specialty food and beverages market is settling in and getting comfortable, with sales slowing down to 4.3% growth in 2018 to reach $148.7 billion in the U.S., according to the Specialty Food Association's annual Specialty Food Industry report prepared by Mintel and SPINS/IRI. This last week, we attended the Summer Fancy … [Read more...] about Back to Basics: Specialty Food Gets Comfortable

Last Week’s 4/20 Sales Reached $182 Million; Licensed Sales Still Lagging Behind Potential

Retail sales of cannabis and related merchandise reached $182 million during the 4/20 holiday period (4/18–4/20), up 30% from the same period last year, according to MJ Freeway. The actual day (a Saturday) garnered $80 million in sales, of which 45.3% was for flowers, 39% for cartridges/pens, 12% for concentrates, and 10% for edibles. The largest share of dollar sales were by … [Read more...] about Last Week’s 4/20 Sales Reached $182 Million; Licensed Sales Still Lagging Behind Potential

IT’SUGAR NoHo: Pink, Sweet & Raunchy

Every once in a while, we like to get out of the office and do some window shopping. Have requests for a future store check? Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com with the stores you'd like to see in the New York City area. This month, we checked out a confectionery retailer that seeks to indulge pop culture trends as well as a sweeth tooth. Founded in 2006 by … [Read more...] about IT’SUGAR NoHo: Pink, Sweet & Raunchy

Mars, Ferrero & Modelez Top Confectioners of 2018

Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Mars Wrigley Confectionery, the Ferrero Group, and Mondelez Intl. are the top candy companies worldwide by retail sales, per Candy Industry Magazine. While only a small share of those total sales are licensed, branded offerings remain a hot spot for growth. Plus, many of the companies that made it on to the list this year … [Read more...] about Mars, Ferrero & Modelez Top Confectioners of 2018

Royal Weddings: Marvel/Epic & Nestle/Starbucks

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not the only royals whose union we are celebrating this week. Nestle strikes a $7.5 billion cash deal with Starbucks for the exclusive right to sell the chain's packaged coffees and teas around the world—not including future revenues from product sales and royalties. Starbuck's current packaged business is worth approximately $2 billion; the … [Read more...] about Royal Weddings: Marvel/Epic & Nestle/Starbucks

Spending Up as Love Sets In

The NRF estimates that just over half of U.S. adults will celebrate Valentine's Day this year by buying a gift for a significant other, friends, or pets—reaching $19.6 billion in spending, up from $18.2 billion in 2017. Those 25–34 years-old will be the biggest spenders, with an average bill of $202.76. By product category, a total of $4.7 billion will be spent on jewelry … [Read more...] about Spending Up as Love Sets In