The Licensing Letter

Apparel

Konami’s Bomberman and Contra Sign New Merch Deals

Two iconic ... if not historic ... Konami video game franchises will be getting some new merch, thanks to a pair of new licensing agreements signed by Konami Cross Media NY. Bomberman and Contra will soon have more product to offer fans with the conclusion of the new licensing agreements, said Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing, Konami Cross Media NY, … [Read more...] about Konami’s Bomberman and Contra Sign New Merch Deals

Licensed Back-to-School Sales Expected to Rise 2.0% in 2020

Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Licensed back-to-school sales are expected to climb to $9.6 billion in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Licensing Letter’s estimates. With licensed retail sales up 2.0%, or $188 million, the back-to-school season is expected to help bolster recovery following a difficult second quarter of 2020 and lackluster -0.9% growth … [Read more...] about Licensed Back-to-School Sales Expected to Rise 2.0% in 2020

M&A: Fashion, Toys & Other Business

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. As Levi Strauss prepares to open its largest store in the world in the form of a new Times Square flagship, it is also gearing up for an IPO that would value the company at up to $5 billion. The 145 year-old jeans manufacturer had gone public once before, in 1971, and is now privately held by the descendants of the family of … [Read more...] about M&A: Fashion, Toys & Other Business

Roundup: Sports & Sportswear News

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Athletic specialty retailer Hibbett Sports will acquire City Gear, a city specialty retailer of premium athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories with 135 stores in 15 states, by early December. The transaction includes $88 million in cash to be paid at closing and the potential for up to $25 million in additional … [Read more...] about Roundup: Sports & Sportswear News

Fashion Track: Sneakers, Apparel & Fitness

By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. The Jordan Brand makes its first-ever women's collaboration with editorial approval from Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintor. The Air Jordan 1 High Zip “AWOK,” is named after Wintour's signature on approved editorial or creative pages of the magazine, and will be followed by the Air Jordan 3 “AWOK,” to be released the next … [Read more...] about Fashion Track: Sneakers, Apparel & Fitness

M&A Watch: Fashion Forward

Authentic Brands Group makes a successful $340 million bid for Nine West Holdings. Under the terms of the agreement, ABG will control all licensing partnerships and marketing plans for both the Nine West and Bandolino brands. Marc Fisher Footwear will operate the business' operations and Signal Products will oversee the handbag and SLG businesses. Perry Ellis Intl. is going … [Read more...] about M&A Watch: Fashion Forward

What Kids Want (to Wear)

It turns out that when it comes to what types of entertainment/character brands kids want to wear, they turn to a hero, according to E-Score Character. The research service identified the most sought-after characters for clothing by age group. All of the properties identified below have established licensing programs and, to varying degrees, have extensions in apparel, … [Read more...] about What Kids Want (to Wear)

Licensed Apparel & Accessories Up 3.5% in 2017

Retail sales of licensed apparel and accessories goods were up a combined 3.5% in 2017, adding over $1.2 billion in value in the U.S./Canada, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The two product categories generated a combined $37.2 billion in licensed retail sales, or just over 34% of the greater total. Sales of licensed apparel merchandise were up by 4.1% to … [Read more...] about Licensed Apparel & Accessories Up 3.5% in 2017