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In 2017, specialty retailers and discounters tied for equal share in distribution of licensed products based on art properties in the U.S./Canada, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. At just over $2 billion each, or 34.9%, the share of licensed goods sold through specialty stores and the discounters segments converged.
Specialty stores recorded especially laconic growth (1% or $20 million) within the U.S./Canada in 2017—topping off a five-year trend of where its total share dipped -2.2% from 2013 levels.
Discounters’ share grew 2.1% from the previous year, or $42 million. Its share also dropped over the five-year period between 2013–2017, albeit slightly at just 0.9% in total.
Department stores saw 1% growth (adding $9 million), capping off a robust five-year gain of 1.6% in licensed retail sales.
Surprisingly, growth in ecommerce sales continues to lag behind that of the overall licensing industry. In 2017, sales rose 3.6% or $24 million.
Drug, variety, and convenience stores jumped share with a 2.3% boost in sales—a minimal $2 million. Mail order/TV increased by the same dollar amount, and a staggering 3.5% gain.