LIMA’s Global Licensing Survey Now Underway
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) has appointed Brandar Consulting, LLC to conduct the Association’s first Annual Global Licensing Survey. The new survey is designed to calculate the size of the trademark licensing business globally. The initial results of this report will be presented in June at Licensing Expo 2015 in Las Vegas. LIMA says this will represent the most comprehensive annual survey that it has ever produced.
Industry professionals from around the world have been asked to participate by filling out a brief survey. The survey can be accessed here. The deadline for respondents to complete the questionnaire is Monday, April 6.
Strider Sports Announces Expanded Distribution
Strider Sports International announced that its line of 12-inch toddler and children’s balance bikes is now being offered through Bicycle Technologies International (BTI). BTI will be carrying all of the Strider 12-inch Sport model bikes for ages 18 months–5 years old along with the safety and riding accessories.
Easter Spending Expected to Increase Says NRF
According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Easter Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average person celebrating Easter will spend $140.62, slightly more than last year’s $137.46. Total spending for Easter, which includes purchases of apparel, decorations, gifts, candy, food, flowers, and more, is expected to reach $16.4 billion. Easter is April 5.
According to the survey, 45 percent of those celebrating will purchase clothing, spending more than $2.9 billion on apparel items for themselves and their families. However, more people plan to buy food for the holiday: 85.7 percent will purchase food for a family meal or other festivity, spending more than $5.3 billion on Easter fare.
NRF says that 87.1 percent of those celebrating say they will buy candy, spending more than $2.2 billion on jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, and Peeps. Consumers this holiday will also spend $2.4 billion on gifts, $1.1 billion on flowers, $998 million on decorations, and $695 million on greeting cards.
The survey says that 58.6 percent of shoppers will head to discount stores to purchase their holiday merchandise. Another four in 10 (40.7 percent) will shop at department stores, while nearly one-quarter (23.8 percent) plan to shop at a local or small business. Additionally, 21.8 percent will head to a specialty store like a florist or jewelry store and 18.8 percent will shop online.
NRF says that for the first time it asked consumers about the activities they are planning for Easter Sunday. The survey found nearly six in 10 (57.4 percent) plan to visit with friends and family, half (50.8 percent) will go to church, and 12.9 percent plan to open gifts. Not forgetting the little ones, three in 10 (30.9 percent) adults will plan a special Easter egg hunt for the children in their lives. Additionally, 15 percent of those celebrating will do so in a restaurant and 24.1 percent say they will browse the Web throughout the day.
According to the survey, 21.4 percent of those who own smartphones and are planning to celebrate Easter will use their phone to research products and/or compare prices, and another 13.5 percent will purchase items with their smartphone. Nearly one-quarter (24.9 percent) of tablet owners will research products and/or compare prices for their Easter needs on tablets; 16.6 percent will purchase something via their tablet.
The Hollywood Reporter Says Additional LEGO Movie In the Works
The Hollywood Reporter wrote exclusively this morning that Warner Bros. “has hired Jason Segel, the actor who helped Disney revive The Muppets several years ago, and Drew Pearce, the writer behind Iron Man 3, to pen and co-direct a new LEGO movie, this one titled The Billion Brick Race.” Read their exclusive story here.
Trending on TTPM: Preschool Toys
TTPM is showcasing what’s trending in each specific product category. Today it’s Preschool Toys. This trending list is determined by consumers. It’s the number of page views for that item in the previous 30 days and is updated every 24 hours.