The Licensing Letter

Retail Sales

Global Fashion Sales Grow 2.4% in 2014

By Glenn Demby Global sales of licensed fashion goods grew 2.4% in 2014, according to TLL's 2015 Licensing Business DataBook. Only two segments grew more: entertainment/character (4.8%) and sports (3.4%). At $37.9 billion, fashion accounted for 23.8% of all worldwide licensed sales, most of any segment (followed by corporate trademark at 21.7%). TLL Survey respondents cited … [Read more...] about Global Fashion Sales Grow 2.4% in 2014

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

American Eagle Eyes Global Licensing

By Glenn Demby American Eagle Outfitters holds only 1.16% of the U.S. apparel market, according to Forbes, and its share is growing none too fast. Faced with a saturated and mature market at home, Eagle is looking to grow by signing licensing agreements abroad. Eagle, which currently has 111 licensed stores in 17 countries and earns 12% of its total revenues abroad (as compared … [Read more...] about American Eagle Eyes Global Licensing

What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales

By Glenn Demby 'Tis the season for corporate earnings reports. Highlights from major entertainment licensors Disney, DreamWorks and Time Warner: Hot: Disney's consumer products division which grew 6% to $954 million Not Hot: Spider-Man which was actually down for the quarter Hot: The Avengers, Frozen and Star Wars which drove growth in Disney consumer products Not … [Read more...] about What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales

The Sweet Smell of Friday: Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj Launch New Perfumes

By Marcy Magiera Singer Katy Perry is in the news for more than her on-and-off relationship with John Mayer, alleged feud with Taylor Swift and attempt to buy a Los Angeles convent. The singer just launched the new fragrance Mad Potion exclusively with a pop-up shop on Twitter's new shopping platform (@katyperrypopup). The $30 vanilla-musk scent is Perry's fourth with licensee … [Read more...] about The Sweet Smell of Friday: Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj Launch New Perfumes

Licensed Sales of Music Goods Hit Low Note in 2014

After five consecutive years of growth, retail sales of licensed goods based on music properties in the U.S. and Canada declined 2.5% to $2.5 billion in 2014, according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The dip in sales of music licensed goods may be both an effect and a reflection of the larger trends shaping the different aspects of the music … [Read more...] about Licensed Sales of Music Goods Hit Low Note in 2014

TLL Survey: Corporate Licensing Up 2% in 2014; Food/Beverage, Restaurant & Automotive Brands Lead the Way

At $26.8 billion, corporate trademarks and brands accounted for 27% of all retail licensed sales in the U.S. and Canada in 2014, the most of any segment (followed by fashion at 20% and sports at 14%), according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. But while it may be big, the corporate segment was also devoid of drama growing at a respectable but … [Read more...] about TLL Survey: Corporate Licensing Up 2% in 2014; Food/Beverage, Restaurant & Automotive Brands Lead the Way

Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise, Middle East/Africa

  The top economic trend in the Middle East was low consumer spending power, slow GDP growth, and (despite all that) a consumer reluctance to lower retail spending, especially on branded goods. Overall, growth for 2016 (3.0%) was slower than in 2015 (3.4%) and 2014 (4.4%). South Africa, the region’s largest market for licensed goods, was up 3.2% despite a weakening … [Read more...] about Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise, Middle East/Africa

Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise, Latin America

  Latin America declined 0.2% overall, with most countries recording flat or negative retail sales. Every country in South America has been plagued by economic instabilities and weakening consumer spending power to some extent. Most licensed spending in the region is associated with foreign entertainment and fashion brands, although domestic properties in entertainment … [Read more...] about Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise, Latin America