British Licensing Industry Holds Strong

LONDON: A survey of British licensing professionals conducted by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) in the U.K. finds that respondents are reporting a good trading year to date, with more than two thirds experiencing growth over the previous 12 months.

Nearly half of the respondents (43.4 percent) expect that at the end of this year their companies’ licensing business will have shown at least 7-percent growth against their 2012 results. More than 75 percent of all respondents expect their international business to grow in 2014.

Europe in general is the area in which most companies forecast growth, but many territories are quoted by respondents, with Asia, the U.S., China and Japan all showing strength.

Many respondents see the growth of digital properties as a key area. Others continue to forecast growth in 'retro' or 'nostalgia' licensing.

Kelvyn Gardner, the managing director of LIMA UK, commented: “On the eve of Brand Licensing Europe, this is a tremendously encouraging survey. Not only are licensing businesses forecasting growth next year, but are already reporting strong increases in 2013, up to 7-percent growth in many cases over 2012. It’s also great news that the majority of this growth is coming from exports. We have carefully noted our respondents cry for ‘new blood’ in the industry, and for more focus on licensing for everyone, not just kids, and we will redouble our efforts to carry the licensing message to U.K. companies of all kinds.”