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
Retailers
Retail: Shifting Towards 360 Degree Distribution
From the floor of Licensing Expo Las Vegas, Amazon is demanding an outsized role in the licensing business. Its VP Nicholas Denissen, this year’s keynote speaker, opened the show with the claim that the ecommerce giant will balloon licensed retail sales to $1 trillion over the next 10 years. The online retail giant is pushing its Merch Collab service to licensors, licensees, … [Read more...] about Retail: Shifting Towards 360 Degree Distribution
Pop-ups, Social Causes & Documentaries
Epic Rights launches a nostalgic and immersive *NSYNC-centric pop-up experience in Los Angeles to celebrate the 20 year history of the group as well as its new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to official merchandise, the location also boasts photo activations and a display of props, wardrobe, and photography. The capsule collection's line of apparel and … [Read more...] about Pop-ups, Social Causes & Documentaries
M&A & Bankruptcy
Nine West Holdings files for bankruptcy, listing debts of approximately $1.5 million. The apparel, jewelry, and jeanswear company is planning sell its flagship brand, Nine West, to Authentic Brands Group. It will also sell its Bandolino brand and reorganize around other businesses, including the Anne Klein name. MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian makes his move, submitting a … [Read more...] about M&A & Bankruptcy
Death of a Salesman
It's official: Toys 'R' Us is winding down its U.S. operations with an eye towards liquidating its inventory and 800 locations. Be forewarned, however, that TRU's swan song is just the opening act for a great retail tragedy set to unfold over the next 10 years. Internationally, the retailer is actively pursuing a reorganization and a sale process for its Canadian stores as … [Read more...] about Death of a Salesman
Mass & Ecommerce Grow Licensed Distribution
Retail sales of licensed merchandise surged through online/ecommerce channels in 2017, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The channel moved by 0.3 percentage points to make up 12% of all licensed sales—outpacing department, off-price, and convenience stores. Discount/mass led with 32.3% share, followed by specialty stores (19%) and grocery and drug (12.1%). … [Read more...] about Mass & Ecommerce Grow Licensed Distribution
M&A & Experiential
American households are loading up on credit card debt, according to data from the Federal Reserve and a related study by WalletHub. By the end of 2017, credit card debt in the U.S. reached $1.01 trillion, beating out the previous record of $984 billion at the end of 2008 and the start of 2009, the tipping point of the Great Recession. Just this past holiday season, WalletHub … [Read more...] about M&A & Experiential
Spending Up as Love Sets In
The NRF estimates that just over half of U.S. adults will celebrate Valentine's Day this year by buying a gift for a significant other, friends, or pets—reaching $19.6 billion in spending, up from $18.2 billion in 2017. Those 25–34 years-old will be the biggest spenders, with an average bill of $202.76. By product category, a total of $4.7 billion will be spent on jewelry … [Read more...] about Spending Up as Love Sets In
Retail Sales, Partnerships & M&A
The U.S. Commerce Department released its first estimate for Q4 GPD, which increased at an annualized rate of 2.6%—and consumer spending, which was up by 3.8% and saw its fastest growth rate in over a year. A successful holiday season, however, means that retailers are also having trouble restocking shelves. A report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that businesses are … [Read more...] about Retail Sales, Partnerships & M&A
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Outpace Expectations
More than in any other season, the share of licensed retail sales during the end-of-year holiday shopping period is the highest of the year. Look out for TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey to hit your inboxes to share your perspective on how well (not not) 2017 went—but in the meantime, we look back on the general retail market. Considering that current estimates peg … [Read more...] about U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Outpace Expectations