Update: 08/15/2016 Note: The figures for worldwide retail sales by property type and product cateogry have been restated for 2015 and 2014. While total retail sales have not changed, the breakdowns for the art and other property types as well as the food/beverage and other product categories has changed. Statistically, 2015 was a banner year for licensing with worldwide retail … [Read more...] about Global Sales of Licensed Goods Reach $163.1 Billion in 2015; Highest Growth in Nearly a Decade
Product Categories
Entertainment/Character Once Again Fastest-Growing Property Type in 2015
By Marcy Magiera Entertainment/character licensing put on a display of superhero strength and speed in 2015, growing 8.0% to dash past $11 billion in retail sales in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. It was the property type’s third consecutive year of notable growth: after five years of decline from 2008 through 2012, … [Read more...] about Entertainment/Character Once Again Fastest-Growing Property Type in 2015
2015 Retail Sales of Licensed Goods in U.S./Canada Top $103 Billion; Entertainment, Sports Drive 3.4% Growth
Retail sales of licensed goods in the U.S. and Canada grew a robust 3.4% in 2015, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. At just under $103.3 billion, total sales surpassed the $100 billion mark for only the second time. 2015 is the fifth up year in a row for the U.S./Canada licensing business. This year’s 3.4% increase not only exceeded the 2.5% … [Read more...] about 2015 Retail Sales of Licensed Goods in U.S./Canada Top $103 Billion; Entertainment, Sports Drive 3.4% Growth
Toys/Games, Food/Beverage & Apparel Lead Growth on Products Side
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
How the NFLPA Is Changing the Pro Sports Licensing Game Plan
Dallas Cowboys fan Joseph Hernandez was standing in his driveway waiting for his Uber car to arrive. He knew the driver was bringing his advanced copy of the brand new EA Sports' Madden NFL 16 that he had ordered through Uber’s special one-day promotion. But he didn’t know about the passenger. So when the GMC Yukon pulled up and former Cowboys’ linebacker Bradie James stepped … [Read more...] about How the NFLPA Is Changing the Pro Sports Licensing Game Plan
Disney Opens 15 Week Merchandise Window for Star Wars
By Marcy Magiera When The Licensing Letter spoke to entertainment executives for our Annual Licensing Business Survey back in the spring, several sources predicted that movie-based licensed merchandise this fall would begin to appear in stores earlier than ever, with end-of-year movies loading merchandise into stores as soon as September. The expected leader of that trend: … [Read more...] about Disney Opens 15 Week Merchandise Window for Star Wars
Global Retail Sales of Licensed Goods Rise 2%, Reach $158.8 Billion in 2014
Worldwide retail sales of licensed merchandise increased 2% to $158.8 billion in 2014, as compared to $155.8 billion in 2013, according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The increase was fuelled by strong sales in the U.S., U.K. and Asia, which offset the stagnation or decline in other big markets in and outside Europe. Results by … [Read more...] about Global Retail Sales of Licensed Goods Rise 2%, Reach $158.8 Billion in 2014
Average Royalty Rates in U.S. & Canada Steady for Decade; Entertainment Fees Climb, Guarantees & Advances Flat
Royalties on licensed retail goods in U.S. and Canada in 2014 represented the picture of longterm stability, capping a decade-long trend of little to no movement. The average royalty in 2014 was 8.68%, compared to 8.67% in 2013, a change of just 0.01%. Since 2005, the average royalty rate across property types and product categories has been in the 8.6% to 8.8% range. More … [Read more...] about Average Royalty Rates in U.S. & Canada Steady for Decade; Entertainment Fees Climb, Guarantees & Advances Flat
Retail Sales of Licensed Goods in U.S./Canada Grow 2.5% in 2014: Entertainment, Sports, Food Make Biggest Gains
Retail sales of licensed goods in the U.S. and Canada reached $99.9 billion in 2014, according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. That's a 2.5% increase over the $97.5 billion in retail licensed goods sales generated in 2013. 2014 is the fourth positive growth year in a row for the licensing business in the U.S. and Canada. The 2.5% rate of increase in … [Read more...] about Retail Sales of Licensed Goods in U.S./Canada Grow 2.5% in 2014: Entertainment, Sports, Food Make Biggest Gains
Brazil Dominates and Continues To Fuel Growth, Per Capita Spending
Retail sales of licensed merchandise in Latin America totaled $4.1 billion in 2013, an increase of 3.3% from $3.9 billion in 2012, according to The Licensing Letter’s “International Licensing: A Status Report.” Since 2011, the licensing business in the region has grown 7.9%. While 3.3% is a respectable rate of increase—less than Central/Eastern Europe and Middle East/Africa … [Read more...] about Brazil Dominates and Continues To Fuel Growth, Per Capita Spending