For the third year in a row, sports is the second-strongest property type with 4.3% growth in 2016, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Retail sales of licensed sports-based merchandise reached $15.4 billion in 2016, up from $14.79 in 2015. Collegiate is also enjoying strong traction at 2.5% growth, reaching $3.5 billion in sales. The 4.3% increase surpassed … [Read more...] about Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales
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Roundup: Promotional Partnerships
Real Madrid's official console partner is Xbox. To celebrate, Xbox will host a series of events at Microsoft Stores throughout the U.S. during Real Madrid’s U.S. Summer Tour. Betty Boop is the new face of Foulbi Co., Ltd.'s J-esthetic—over 100 esthetic salons and day spas. The campaign includes a commercial as well as print and digital ads. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. … [Read more...] about Roundup: Promotional Partnerships
Mergers & Acquisitions
Phoenix Asset Management increases its stake in Hornby Hobbies to over 70% after increasing its stake to over 50% last month. Italian toy manufacturer Giochi Preziosi sells its 50% stake in Prenatal Retail Group to Artsana, giving Artsana full ownership of European retail brands brands Toy Centre, King Jouet, Prenatal, and Bimbostore. The deal is estimated to be worth 105 … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Licensing Execs Report Greater Hours, Higher Pay
Licensing professionals are experienced, satisfied, and putting in the hours, according to The Licensing Letter’s 2017 Salary Survey. Among the findings: Over half of respondents (55%) have been involved in licensing for 10 years or more, with another 31% having been in the business for five to ten years. Compared to last year's Survey, when over 55% of respondents had been … [Read more...] about Licensing Execs Report Greater Hours, Higher Pay
The State of Licensing In Mobile
Sanrio and Bandai Namco Entertainment team up for Hello Kitty ♥ PAC-MAN, a mobile game app and a limited edition merchandise collection including t-shirts, caps, socks, tote bags, pins, and collectible figures. SEGA Networks and WWE partner for WWE Tap Mania, a worldwide mobile game app that features a roster of past and present WWE Superstars facing off in the ring in … [Read more...] about The State of Licensing In Mobile
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
Where in the World are the Licensing Execs?
Where in the world are the companies and individuals that are part of the licensing business? We crunched the numbers behind the Licensing Sourcebook, now featuring almost 10,000 contacts from around the world. Worldwide The U.S. has the highest number of executives at 61% share of the total, partially as a function of the U.S.-centric approach of the publication. … [Read more...] about Where in the World are the Licensing Execs?
The Decision-makers (And What to Call Them)
Who are the decision-makers behind the deal? We parsed the data behind the Licensing Sourcebook to find out. It turns out, you're most likely to be talking to a Licensing Director when making an agreement. With almost 10,000 listees, the data available is not a representative image of the licensing industry—we only list revelant points of contact for people who are interested … [Read more...] about The Decision-makers (And What to Call Them)
What’s So Special About Food?
By Karina Masolova The Summer Fancy Food Show at New York City's Jacob Javits welcomed 2,600 exhibitors from around the world last month. While Turkey was the partner country this year, the floor welcomed exhibitors ranging from classic importers like Italy, France, and Greece to Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and India to smaller countries like Costa Rica and Latvia … [Read more...] about What’s So Special About Food?
Walmart Steady as Top Retailer in the U.S.
Walmart remained steady in its No. 1 spot as the top retailer based on sales, while Amazon climbed and Target dropped, according to Stores Magazine’s annual Top 100 Retailers list, released by National Retail Federation (NRF) and Kantar Retail. Innovation in shopping options is key to remaining on top, with Stores Magazine citing "creative disruption" and "reinventing physical … [Read more...] about Walmart Steady as Top Retailer in the U.S.