Marketers have been expanding their offerings of merchandise designed for consumers with disabilities, especially in categories such as apparel and Halloween costumes, over the past three years or so. Licensed and collaborative examples have occasionally been part of the mix as well. The idea is to create solutions that are accessible, but also stylish and […]
Archive | Demographic groups
Black Beauty
By Karen Raugust on April 21, 2022 in Demographic groups, Diversity/Inclusion, Health/beauty, Licensing, Retail
Retailers’ beauty departments represent one area where progress has been made on the road toward more diversity, equity, and inclusion over the past two years, and change continues. While each effort is unique, in general retailers have diversified their product mix to make more offerings available for women of all colors and skin and hair […]
A Golden Age for the Golden Years
There was a time not long ago when it was rare to see licensing or collaboration agreements featuring celebrities aged 50-plus. When they have occurred, they have typically been geared toward consumers in the same age cohort. But things are changing. Recent partnerships have involved older celebrities who have become popular with young adult fans […]
Diamonds and Pearls
The men’s jewelry category has been a fast-growing one for the last several years. As a result, designers of both fine and costume jewelry have been entering the men’s sector or expanding their men’s businesses. This year, for example, Tiffany’s added to its men’s assortment by creating its first engagement rings for men, while fine […]
Costume Change
The costume industry is in the midst of transitioning from a historical focus on kids and Halloween to more of a year-round, all-encompassing, and all-ages business. This change is occurring due in part to an increase in adults going all-out to celebrate Halloween and to the rise of massive fandoms tied to pop-culture properties, many […]
Pride Collections for All
By Karen Raugust on May 24, 2021 in Demographic groups, Design and content themes, Diversity/Inclusion, Licensing, Politics/social movements
As we approach Pride Month, companies on the long and still-growing list of marketers celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride each June have been releasing their plans for this year. As always, these include a variety of typically rainbow-hued lifestyle collections for adults, with a focus on accessories, beauty, footwear, and especially apparel. One new wrinkle that has […]
Gender Equity and Esports
Video gaming is a popular activity among females, who represent 41% of gamers, according to the Entertainment Software Association, and 35% of professional esports players, according to Interpret. But the world of professional esports has been a notoriously unwelcoming space for women. They experience discrimination and harassment and lack the opportunities offered to the male […]
Collaborations Honor Black History
By Karen Raugust on February 18, 2021 in Art, Demographic groups, Design and content themes, Fashion, Licensing
Black History Month in February of each year has not traditionally maintained as high a profile within the consumer product and collaboration space as Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place in September and October and has increasingly been seen as a time for licensors and their partners to create themed collections. IP owners and brands […]
Viva el Maquillaje
Latina singers have been in high demand for makeup collaborations of late, with at least three deals signed this year after several introductions in 2018 and 2019. These celebrities have an advantage in that they tend to attract a mainstream audience that includes ethnically and racially diverse consumers, something that increasingly appeals to cosmetics marketers […]
Potty Time
By Karen Raugust on June 25, 2020 in Character/Entertainment, Demographic groups, Design and content themes, Licensing
Among the new Daniel Tiger products announced earlier this month by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Brands was a 3-in-1 potty-training aid from Fisher-Price. The product is a potty chair featuring a removable seat that fits on a full-sized toilet and a fold-down lid that becomes a step stool, along with activated sound effects […]