The competition is brutal but fashion licensing continues to thrive both worldwide and in the U.S./Canada, as documented by The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey.
Global Sales Up 2.4%
Global retail sales of licensed fashion goods grew 2.4% in 2014. Although it might sound like a modest increase (especially when you consider that 2013 growth was 2.5%), fashion was one of…
FASHION
TLL Survey: Fashion Licensing Grows 3.4% in 2014; Apparel, Accessories Strong, E-Commerce Inches Up
July 20, 2015
Fashion
Branding, Island Style
June 15, 2015
Two brands that embrace a beach lifestyle, Tommy Bahama and Maui Jim, are summering together. Maui Jim polarized sunglasses will be sold at all Tommy Bahama stores and online, marking the first time that Tommy Bahama will sell a branded product other than its own…
International
Kate Spade Expands in Latin America
May 18, 2015
Kate Spade & Co. will expand its cornerstone kate spade new york brand in Latin America through an exclusive distribution agreement with retailer and distributor Exclusive Brands International S. A. in 17 territories in Central and South America and the Caribbean. As a result…
Branded Baubles a Growth Area in Fashion Licensing
April 20, 2015
They’re cute, they’re furry, and they’re branded with the name of a famous fashion designer. But, c’mon, $850 for a keychain?! That’s how much you have to shell out for one of those hot Fendi… . . . read more
E-commerce
New Channel for Chanel
April 20, 2015
Bowing to the inevitable, Chanel announced that it will begin engaging in e-commerce probably by the end of 2016. The move includes three of the Métier d’Art companies owned by Chanel’s Paraffection subsidiary, including…
Fashion
Jessica Simpson Brand Sold to Sequentia;
April 20, 2015
Sequential Brands Group has agreed to acquire a majority interest in the Jessica Simpson Collection brand, including master license rights, from Camuto Group. Although the price has not been disclosed, you can bet that it is significantly higher than the $15 million the late Vince Camuto paid for the master license in 2005…
Mass Retail Fashion Licensing Targets Men
April 6, 2015
Very quietly and with little fanfare, mass retailer Target launched Target Collective, a curated collection of Americanmade men’s fashion products from six different designers: Billykirk (bags and accessories); Owen & Fred (soap and accessories); Taylor… . . . read more
Fashion
Ralph Lauren Bucks the Buck
February 16, 2015
Conventional wisdom says that the strong dollar is making it harder to sell luxury fashion goods abroad. Or is it? Ralph Lauren reported weaker than expected third quarter earnings, but while U.S. sales flattened out, total growth in international sales revenues topped double-digits (in current currency), thanks to robust performances in both Europe and China…
Women’s Sports Apparel
A Niche of Their Own: Touch by Alyssa Milano Is Catalyst For Fast-Growing Off-field Licensed Women’s Sportswear
January 5, 2015
Women represent the most dynamic seg- ment of the off-field sports apparel market. Women make up nearly half of all self-identified MLB fans and 44% of NFL TV viewers. More women watch the Super Bowl than the Oscars. Not surprisingly, women’s interest in sports is translating into growing sales of licensed women’s sports apparel…