By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Worldwide retail sales of licensed merchandise based on entertainment/character properties totaled $28.7 billion in 2015, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. For the second year in a row, entertainment/character was the fastest growing property type—outdoing 2014's 4.8% increase with even more impressive growth of 6.3%. Here's a look at … [Read more...] about 6 Trends in Global Entertainment/Character Licensing
Retail Sales
Off-price Channel Continues to Gain Ground Ceded by Department Stores
With the back-to-school retail season in full swing and the holidays just around the corner, there's mounting evidence that the licensed product distribution trends highlighted in TLL Annual Licensing Business Survey—including the growth of the dollar/value/off-price channel and the decline of department/mid-tier stores are picking up steam in 2016. Off-price retailers will … [Read more...] about Off-price Channel Continues to Gain Ground Ceded by Department Stores
BRICs Falling—Tough Times in Emerging Licensing Markets
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Just a few years ago, the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China seemed to be emerging powerhouses of licensing, posting growth rates that left the world's mature economies in the dust. But now the BRICs are going through hard times, as documented by findings from the 2016 TLL Annual Licensing Business Survey. China Still Growing but at Slower … [Read more...] about BRICs Falling—Tough Times in Emerging Licensing Markets
Ranking the World’s Largest Licensing Markets
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. As in previous years, global licensing in 2015 was top-heavy with eight countries accounting for 87.5% of all retail sales, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. See the complete list of the top 50 countries by retail sales worldwide, including breakdowns by territory here. The Top 10 The U.S. dominates the world rankings with over $93 … [Read more...] about Ranking the World’s Largest Licensing Markets
Apparel Fuels 3.1% Growth in U.S./Canada Fashion Licensing—Global Growth Is Even Higher
Growing competition; continued decline in the brick and mortar backyard; currency devaluation in Europe and Asia; a fourth quarter retail fiasco. 2015 was a tough year for the fashion industry. Yet, for all of the challenges, fashion licensing prospered in not only in the U.S./Canada but worldwide, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Global … [Read more...] about Apparel Fuels 3.1% Growth in U.S./Canada Fashion Licensing—Global Growth Is Even Higher
Pokémon GOes Viral in its 20th Anniversary Celebrations
By Karina Masolova Free-to-play augmented reality game Pokémon Go has caused quite a stir—with everyone from retailers to networks eager to get a piece of the pie. The game's success is born of arguably born of a cross between nostalgia for the classic franchise (Pokémon celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016) as well as consumer excitement for new gaming technology. Pokémon … [Read more...] about Pokémon GOes Viral in its 20th Anniversary Celebrations
Shopping for School Supplies, Electronics Moves Online
Back-to-school shopping—including school supplies and electronics—is expected to grow dramatically in the ecommerce channel in 2016, mirroring the growing channel share for ecommerce in licensed product sales overall, as consumers shop for savings. While back-to-school shoppers are still heading primarily to bricks-and-mortar stores, they are increasingly purchasing … [Read more...] about Shopping for School Supplies, Electronics Moves Online
To Sell Shark Tank Goods, Cuban Makes Bet on
E-Commerce
Celebrity entrepreneur Mark Cuban is making a new investment in e-commerce, the fastest growing retail channel for licensed goods. Cuban's eponymous Mark Cuban Collection of products featured on the TV show Shark Tank debuted June 1 on Amazon.com, forgoing Walmart, Target and other large retailers.
The Mark Cuban Collection is in the Amazon Exclusives store, which stocks … [Read more...] about To Sell Shark Tank Goods, Cuban Makes Bet on
E-Commerce
E-commerce Sales Top $11 Billion in 2015; Led by Trademarks and Entertainment
By Karina MasolovaOver $11 billion in licensed merchandise was sold through e-commerce retail channels in the U.S. and Canada in 2015, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Factoring out automobiles and fuel, the U.S. Commerce Department estimates that 10.5% of all U.S. retail sales in 2015 were made online. In contrast, TLL estimates that … [Read more...] about E-commerce Sales Top $11 Billion in 2015; Led by Trademarks and Entertainment
Earnings Scorecard: Winners & Losers of the First Quarter
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. This month, the nation's largest retailers posted their earnings for the first quarter of 2016. And the numbers confirm what we already know: These are tough times for the retail industry. But just how tough are they? While the monster losses by Macy's, Target, Kohl's, Nordstrom and others stole the headlines, they belie the strong performance … [Read more...] about Earnings Scorecard: Winners & Losers of the First Quarter