Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com The largest, most anticipated shopping event of the year has come and gone—a week of sales centered around Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Overall, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that over 174 million Americans shopped during the five-day holiday weekend. On average, shoppers spent $335 on … [Read more...] about 174 Million Americans Make the Biggest Black Friday Yet
Retailers
In & Around 34th Street
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com I try to trek down to 34th St. Herald Square, in central New York City, every once in a while. As we enter the holiday shopping season, there were some interesting licensed retail activities in and around town. The newest addition to Herald Square is the Build a Bear Workshop. The central attraction is the retailer's three … [Read more...] about In & Around 34th Street
Mass Channels Lead Corporate TM/Brand-based Licensed Sales
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com As noted in our lead story, the reason why royalties for trademarks/brands are historically lower is, in part, a consequence of many licensed goods being sold through the mass retailer channels. So while the low overhead in these stores brings prices (and royalties) down, the difference in profits compared to other channels is … [Read more...] about Mass Channels Lead Corporate TM/Brand-based Licensed Sales
Licensed Home-related Goods Up 3.4% WW in 2016
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Retail sales of licensed home furnishings, housewares, and domestics grew by 3.4% globally, according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. Growth was largely thanks to returns in consumer confidence and economic stability. Retail played a strong role in supporting the growth of a wide variety of brands, … [Read more...] about Licensed Home-related Goods Up 3.4% WW in 2016
Toycos Detail Q3 Declines
Toys 'R' Us' bankruptcy is one reason for the hiccup to bottom lines of major toy companies, but they're also reporting soft interest in licensed products. Hasbro's revenue rose by 7% to reach $1.8 billion in Q3 2017. The toyco adjusted its projection for Q4 2017, lowering expectations to 4–7% growth over the same period last year. Despite an increase in gaming and franchise … [Read more...] about Toycos Detail Q3 Declines
Economics of Licensing
As long as we're keeping track of the licensing industry, we also have to recognize it's size—and it turns out that it's a small world after all. In 2016, licensed retail sales in the U.S./Canada made up just 0.005% of all retail sales. But while the fraction is small, the growth rate of licensed sales has consistently outperformed general growth. On the right, we … [Read more...] about Economics of Licensing
Retailer Alert: Holiday Sales, TRU & New Innovations
The economists have weighed in, and it looks like holiday sales will be strong this year. Deloitte projects that holiday sales between November and January will rise 4% to 4.5% from a year earlier to as much as $1.05 trillion. Online sales will rise at a much faster pace, gaining 18% to 21% to as much as $114 billion, or 11% of the total holiday retail sales. AlixPartners … [Read more...] about Retailer Alert: Holiday Sales, TRU & New Innovations
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
Retailer’s Top Toys of the 2017 Holiday Season
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com The top toy lists from Toys 'R' Us, Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Kohl's are out! Just over one-third of the top toys of the holiday season are licensed offerings. This year, we've identified which toys are licensed, their respective manufacturer, and which are exclusive to the retailer. See the complete list below. In 2016, … [Read more...] about Retailer’s Top Toys of the 2017 Holiday Season
TRU’s Debt & Other Toy/Game News
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com In the face of a $400 million debt due in 2018, Toys 'R' Us has retained a law firm to help restructure its financial obligations. The toy retailer has not ruled out bankruptcy as part of its plan, and is also looking at obtaining additional financing. TRU is also continuing to work with financial advisory firm Lazard, which … [Read more...] about TRU’s Debt & Other Toy/Game News