What better timing than the week of Licensing International to get our panel of international consumer products peeps to weigh in on the positive industry trends to watch out for in the next 12 to 18 months? Today we’ve got Laura Gruder, director of licensing, Ty’s Toy Box, and Debra Joester, president, The Joester Loria Group.

Laura Guder

Director of licensing, Ty’s Toy Box

The internet and specifically eCommerce continues to grow exponentially, providing e-tailers with virtually unlimited shelf space and the opportunity to try new brands and products in a perfect test market scenario. Online also has the ability to reach consumers directly via targeted search marketing. The key in this exciting new world of retailing is to first entertain, then inform and finally sell. And with consumer gas prices continuing to rise, there is, and will continue to be, less ‘store-to-store searching’ and much more electronic browsing for an individual’s needs and wants.

Debra Joester

President, The Joester Loria Group

There is continued debate in the licensing industry over the factors that have impacted launching new properties. Disney’s retail dominance, the lack of major breakthrough ‘gotta have’ properties (other than Disney) and the economic downturn are some of the factors frequently cited. Business appears to have shifted from preschool to girls and has expanded to include some unexpected properties…Retailers are open to new opportunities and are seeking properties that will drive traffic and sales. It is incumbent upon the industry to deliver those opportunities and reinforce the power of properties that can deliver sales across multiple categories in their stores.