A new secret shopper survey brings to light the characteristics and habits of shoppers in one of the fastest-growing retail channels for licensed merchandise: dollar stores. Amid strong overall sales and earnings growth for channel leaders Dollar Tree and Dollar General (see related story), U.S. and Canadian sales of licensed merchandise in the dollar/value/off-price channel … [Read more...] about Survey Delivers the Low Down on Dollar Store Shoppers
Retail Sales
Super Bowl Spending to Top $15.5 Billion
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. The Super Bowl is big every year. But this year's 50th anniversary installment will be the biggest Super Bowl ever, at least from a consumption perspective. Just consider these numbers from the National Retail Federation: 188.9 million—Estimated TV viewers (as compared to 183.7 million last year) 17.7%—Percentage of viewers citing commercials as most … [Read more...] about Super Bowl Spending to Top $15.5 Billion
42 Entertainment Character Properties Reach $100 Million in Sales of Licensed Merchandise; “Frozen” Debuts at No. 6
Marcy Magiera, additional reporting by Glenn Demby and Karina Masolova The “Frozen effect” is clearly evident on The Licensing Letter’s annual list of entertainment/character properties with more than $100 million in sales in the U.S. and Canada for 2014 (see the full list here). The property debuted on the $100 million-plus in the Top 10, amid robust growth for other platinum … [Read more...] about 42 Entertainment Character Properties Reach $100 Million in Sales of Licensed Merchandise; “Frozen” Debuts at No. 6
The State of Estates
By Karina Masolova They may be dead, but they're not gone. Estate licensing, for deceased celebrities who would fall under the celebrities category in life, made up 2.3% of all licensing revenue in 2014. After gaining 1.3% in 2013, estate-based sales fell 1.0% in 2014 to $2.25 billion. Retail success in was largely limited to a couple of dominant properties, notably Marilyn … [Read more...] about The State of Estates
Mattel, Hasbro see Q3 Retail Sales Split Along Gender Lines
By Karina Masolova Reported third quarter (3Q) sales from toy giants Hasbro and Mattel exhibited an interesting break along gender lines, with boys' toys outperforming girls' amidst depressed worldwide sales thanks to unfavorable exchange rates. More gender balance may be on the way, however, with the girls' market expected to get a boost from the first interactive Barbie doll … [Read more...] about Mattel, Hasbro see Q3 Retail Sales Split Along Gender Lines
Licensing By The Numbers
Scandal Costs VW $10 Billion in Brand Value Earlier this year, the VW brand was calculated to be worth $31 billion, the third most valuable auto brand in the world. But the recent emissions scandal has tarnished the "people's car" company's longstanding reputation for reliability and trust. By the time the dust settles, VW is expected to lose an estimated $10 billion in brand … [Read more...] about Licensing By The Numbers
‘Homegating’ Drives Sales of NFL-Licensed Products
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Americans still love watching football with friends but consumption patterns are changing. The TV is slowly but surely eclipsing the stadium as the viewing venue of choice. And as it does, tailgating in the parking lot is giving way to "homegating" in the living room. Seven of 10 fans would rather get together with friends at home to watch the game than … [Read more...] about ‘Homegating’ Drives Sales of NFL-Licensed Products
Licensed Products Figure Prominently in Season’s First ‘Hot Toys’ List
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Yesterday, 105 days before Christmas, Toys 'R' Us unveiled its Holiday Hot Toy List for 2015. As you'd expect, licensed brands from Disney, especially Star Wars, figured prominently, capturing four of the coveted "Fabulous 15" spots. At least six of the Fab 15 were licensed, including (in the order listed by TRU): Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me … [Read more...] about Licensed Products Figure Prominently in Season’s First ‘Hot Toys’ List
Who Lives in a Pineapple on Broadway?
The SpongeBob Musical will open at Broadway in Chicago’s Oriental Theatre on June 7, 2016, where it will play for a month in preparation for its run on Broadway (in New York) in the 2016-2017 season. The SpongeBob Musical will be produced by Nickelodeon with songs from John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, T.I., Lady Antebellum, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of … [Read more...] about Who Lives in a Pineapple on Broadway?
Art Licensing Goes from Flat to Down 1.6%, as Fine Arts Thrive & Commercial Arts Struggle
While the overall licensing industry grew 2.5% in 2014, the art sector continued to struggle. After two years of flattish growth, retail sales of products based on licensed art properties in the U.S. and Canada actually fell 1.6%, from $5.64 billion to $5.55 billion, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Artist royalties also continued their … [Read more...] about Art Licensing Goes from Flat to Down 1.6%, as Fine Arts Thrive & Commercial Arts Struggle