Licensed pet product sales grew 5.2% in 2016 to reach $443 million in the U.S./Canada, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. That makes it one of the fastest-growing product categories we track, behind only the massive food/beverages with 6.0% growth in 2016. A new report from Packaged Facts reveals that the pet toy category grew 4% from last year to reach over … [Read more...] about Sales of Licensed Pet Products Up 5.2% in 2016
Retailers
Top Trends for the $27-30 Billion Back-to-school Season
Here's what to expect from this year's back-to-school season. Rosy estimates place retail sales at their highest levels yet. This year's K-12 back-to-school season is expected to generate $27 billion in retail sales in the U.S., according to Deloitte. The season alone is estimated to generate 50% of all school-related spending for the year by 29 million households. Estimates … [Read more...] about Top Trends for the $27-30 Billion Back-to-school Season
To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover
While some brands are embracing the Amazon marketplace, others are waging war against the ecommerce giant. Brands must make a choice: Deal with the black and/or grey markets, or else become part of the white market. Online/ecommerce grew in distribution channel share by three-tenths of a percentage point last year to reach 11.7% of all licensed sales in the U.S./Canada—or … [Read more...] about To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover
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
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.
Experiential Roundup
Nickelodeon and Spin Master take Paw Patrol to Visionworks locations as part of a back-to-school initiative. Kids who have completed their annual eye exam get a free gift, which includes a Paw Patrol activity sheet, crayons, stickers, and a character mask. Beginning this July, the retailer will also debut it first-ever kids’ line of Paw Patrol frames, designed and distributed … [Read more...] about Experiential Roundup
Store Check: Kino’s (a.k.a. Blind Box Heaven)
By: Karina Masolova I visited another bookstore for our store check feature, and this time, it's a specialty Japanese retailer in midtown Manhattan. The chain bookstore has 12 locations in the U.S., including two recently opened shops in Texas. The fastest-growing region in the U.S. for interest in Japanese-origin properties is the Midwest, and the strongest demand for the … [Read more...] about Store Check: Kino’s (a.k.a. Blind Box Heaven)
Store Check: Licensed Offerings at B&N
I visited a local Barnes & Noble this week, one of the "last remaining massive bookstores" in the city, at Union Square, New York. It's a bookstore, but I'm not checking out the books. One of the biggest growth areas for the chain bookseller is toys, games, and gifts/novelties. Here's a look at the licensed options that B&N was pushing last week: It's Father's Day on … [Read more...] about Store Check: Licensed Offerings at B&N
M&A Shorts
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Aramark partner to provide retail merchandise services for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. Under the multi-year agreement, Aramark will manage all aspects of the US Open Tennis Championships’ retail sales and merchandising operations throughout the grounds of the National Tennis Center. … [Read more...] about M&A Shorts
M&A Shorts
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Aramark partner to provide retail merchandise services for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. Under the multi-year agreement, Aramark will manage all aspects of the US Open Tennis Championships’ retail sales and merchandising operations throughout the grounds of the National Tennis Center. … [Read more...] about M&A Shorts