For the second straight year, toys/games was the fastest growing product category, posting an 8.1% increase. Growth in toy and game merchandise has mirrored (and fed off of) the success of the entertainment/character property type over the past three years. As in 2013 and 2014, connection to “A-list” entertainment properties like Frozen, Star Wars and Minions drove growth in … [Read more...] about Toys/Games, Food/Beverage & Apparel Lead Growth on Products Side
Food and Beverages
Branded Bottles
Following in the footsteps of so many rock bands, Metallica has partnered with Budwieser to launch a limited edition line of branded beers in Canada. A run of over 91,000 black cans featuring the band's logo will be sold in cases of 15 and 24. Freebies were handed out to fans during Metallica's two shows in Qubec City on September 14–16. The retail edition has an additional … [Read more...] about Branded Bottles
Branded Bud
By Karina Masolova Following in the footsteps of so many rock bands, Metallica has partnered with Budweiser to launch a limited edition line of branded beers in Canada. A run of over 91,000 black cans featuring the band's logo will be sold in cases of 15 and 24. The beer is brewed in Canada by Labatt. Freebies were handed out to fans during Metallica's two shows in Qubec City … [Read more...] about Branded Bud
National Grocery Brands Rebound
By Marcy Magiera The recession and its aftermath in the past five years have helped increase the appeal of store brands for grocery shoppers, but now that the economy is building strength (the stock market turmoil of the past month notwithstanding), consumers are once again beginning to see store brands as less desirable, signaling a renewed opportunity for national brands, … [Read more...] about National Grocery Brands Rebound
From “Billy Beer” to “Duff’s”: Licensed Beer Branding Comes of Age
Sales of food and beverage products based on licensed properties in the U.S. and Canada grew 6.0% in 2014, third highest of any product category behind only toys/games (7.0%) and apparel (6.5%). At just over $10.1 billion in sales, the food and beverage category now constitutes 10% of the total market. Frozen foods still rule the licensed food roost but adult beverages are … [Read more...] about From “Billy Beer” to “Duff’s”: Licensed Beer Branding Comes of Age
Burger King Grows With A.1. Brand
By Marcy Magiera Restaurant Brands International reported this week that its Burger King restaurants posted a comp store sales increase of 6.7% and system-wide sales increase of 11.6% in the most recent quarter, due in large part to the popularity of its licensed A.1. Hearty Mozzarella Bacon Cheeseburger. BK has two burgers featuring Kraft Foods' savory A.1. Thick & Hearty … [Read more...] about Burger King Grows With A.1. Brand
Taco Bell Licensing Crunch
Taco Bell has become a hot bed of food licensing and co-branding featuring Snapple Lemonade Freeze (Dr Pepper Snapple Group), Starburst Strawberry Freeze (Wm. Wrigley Jr.), in addition to Doritos Locos Tacos and the Cap’n Crunch Delights, basically a doughnut hole covered with Quaker Oats Co.’s Cap’n Crunch Berries cereal and filled with “milk” icing (PepsiCo). Nation’s … [Read more...] about Taco Bell Licensing Crunch
Avengers Campaign Targets Fashion, Health
Disney Consumer Products announced what it’s calling one of “its biggest ever licensing programs” around the new Avengers: Age of Ultron film and offshoot programming; and given Disney’s track record, that’s no idle boast. The licensing program includes a push into what the studio considers high-potential categories, including female fashion and items intended to foster active … [Read more...] about Avengers Campaign Targets Fashion, Health
Sega Expands Sonic Boom
Sega of America unveiled a host of new licensing and promotional deals involving its Sonic Boom game property, including: World Tech Toys for remote- controlled helicopters; Bulls I Toy for erasers, stickers, trading cards and other novelties; teNeues Publishing Group for wall calendars; Rubie’s Costume for costumes; Bakery Crafts/Jack Guttman for cake decoration kits. … [Read more...] about Sega Expands Sonic Boom
Single-Serving Products Make Coffee Rich Ground for Licensing
Two decades ago, Keurig Green Mountain introduced the world to its patented K-cup single brewing system. Coffee consumption would never be the same. Soon "K-cup" had become a generic term, and the communal pot of coffee for office or home consumption became an endangered species—at least in wealthy parts of the world like North America and Europe where consumers could afford … [Read more...] about Single-Serving Products Make Coffee Rich Ground for Licensing