Global retail sales of licensed merchandise reached $171 billion in 2017, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Territories outside the U.S./Canada saw greater growth as a whole; international licensed retail sales grew 2.5% to reach $62 billion in 2017. With the U.S./Canada generating $109 million in licensed sales, that means that internationally-based sales … [Read more...] about Fashion, Entertainment & Corporate Brands Lead Globe
Property Types
Licensed Sales Reach $109 Billion in U.S./Canada in 2017
Licensed retail sales grew just 2.3% in 2017 to reach $109 billion in the U.S./Canada—the slowest rate of growth observed since 2014, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. Licensed sales only marginally outperformed GPD; the U.S. economy expanded by 2.2% and the Canadian by 3% in 2017. This last year marks the seventh year of positive growth for the region—the … [Read more...] about Licensed Sales Reach $109 Billion in U.S./Canada in 2017
It’s Getting Crowded: A Census of Licensors
Over 2,500 unique companies own and license out intellectual property for branded consumer goods in the U.S./Canada. TLL breaks down the numbers behind the Licensing Sourcebook to discover where the money is—and for which property types the field is getting crowded. Please note that this breakdown won't tell you the relative size of the licensing business—after all, it doesn't … [Read more...] about It’s Getting Crowded: A Census of Licensors
Most Valuable Brands: Celebrity & Sports Top-Earners
On average, a licensed property will generate $7.53 million in retail sales a year within the U.S./Canada—according to data from TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey and the Licensing Sourcebook. The most valuable brands—as determined by calculating the total number of properties owned by licensors in the Licensing Sourcebook relative to licensed retail sales in the … [Read more...] about Most Valuable Brands: Celebrity & Sports Top-Earners
Mainland China Up 7% to Reach $6.7 in Licensed Sales
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com For those of you heading to China Licensing Expo in Shanghai—or who are just thinking of doing business in the fifth-ranking market for licensed goods worldwide, we've put together a quick cheat sheet breaking down the numbers behind mainland China. China is remarkable in terms of its relatively rapid slowdown. In 2013, … [Read more...] about Mainland China Up 7% to Reach $6.7 in Licensed Sales
The Future of Ecommerce is In-store
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com With traditional retail business models crashing down, and ecommerce on the rise, retailers will need the power of brands to thrive. Two dominant trends emerge when looking at the future of retail: retail-tainment and omnichannel. Despite the rise of ecommerce, shoppers still prefer to see, touch, and experience products. … [Read more...] about The Future of Ecommerce is In-store
Spotlight: Kids’ Tech Toys
We had the chance to attend the Kids’ & Family Tech Expo in New York, where attendees showed off the latest in tech innovations to hit the toy shelves. The name of the game is STREAM, and to be more specific, programming and engineering. But while many toys were meant for a younger set, the price point was relatively high—targeting the pure-play offerings topping … [Read more...] about Spotlight: Kids’ Tech Toys
Founders Beware: Retaining Ownership of IP
Departing the organization you helped found without an agreement as to ownership of intellectual property could mean leaving your property behind, according to a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The Federal Circuit held in Lyons v. Am. College of Veterinary Sports Med. & Rehab. that an originator of a service mark may not own the mark … [Read more...] about Founders Beware: Retaining Ownership of IP
Top 20 Preschool Properties in the $12.8 Billion Industry
The preschool market is one of the most stable we track, compared to other property types and product categories. In 2016, licensed retail sales of preschool brand-based, preschool-oriented merchandise grew 6.7% to reach almost $12.8 billion. Although all-ages brands like sports-based properties and Star Wars have made inroads into licensed preschool merchandise, … [Read more...] about Top 20 Preschool Properties in the $12.8 Billion Industry
Worldwide Sales by PT & PC: Entertainment/Toys Drive Growth
As reported earlier, global retail sales of licensed merchandise grew 2.7%—or over $4 billion—in 2016 to reach $167.5 billion, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. On the property side, entertainment/character sales swelled 5.0% in 2016, while on the product side, toys/interactive games led with 3.8% growth. The major source of growth were brands from the … [Read more...] about Worldwide Sales by PT & PC: Entertainment/Toys Drive Growth