The worldwide licensing enterprise continues to climb.
License World launched its Top Global Licensing Agents 2026 whitepaper, reporting $117.7 billion in retail gross sales of licensed client merchandise tied to agent-managed portfolios in 2025. The entire marks a 12.7% year-over-year enhance, signaling continued momentum throughout classes and areas.
The Prime 10 businesses alone generated $80 billion in retail gross sales, led by IMG Licensing, CAA Model Administration, and Beanstalk. Rankings might shift additional following the deliberate integration of CAA Model Administration and Beanstalk.
The report highlights a altering panorama formed by consolidation within the leisure business, the rise of digital-first IP, and rising demand for creator-led manufacturers. Classes together with meals and beverage, anime, and Okay-pop proceed to realize traction, whereas toys and video games posted notable development, rising to 62% of brokers’ focus.
North America led all areas with $56.4 billion in retail gross sales, adopted by APAC and Europe.
“The Prime World Licensing Brokers report is such an fascinating barometer of the well being of the enterprise of licensed client merchandise and model extensions,” mentioned Amanda Cioletti, Vice President of Content material and Technique for the World Licensing Group, which incorporates Licensing Expo, Model Licensing Europe, and media model License World. “The retail gross sales achieved in 2025 mirror not solely the power of established manufacturers but additionally the rising affect of trending classes and fan-based IPs. This report serves as a significant useful resource for understanding the tendencies shaping the way forward for licensing and highlights the unimaginable work of the brokers who drive this dynamic business ahead.”
The report underscores how licensing brokers proceed to form retail via strategic model extensions and partnerships.
The Prime 10 World Licensing Brokers*
- IMG Licensing
- CAA Model Administration
- Beanstalk
- LMCA
- Alifish
- Model Central
- Brandgenuity
- World Icons
- Wildbrain CPLG
- CLC
*Notice: CAA Model Administration and Beanstalk merged in February.
Click here to view the entire list and tendencies report (registration required for obtain) at License World.
Meet The Toy E-book Group at Licensing Expo!
The Journey Media & Occasions workforce will probably be current at Licensing Expo with new problems with The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut on Might 19. Go to us at Sales space No. F106 to seize The Toy E-book‘s 2026 Licensing & Leisure Difficulty (that includes The Licensing E-book complement), and the spring version of The Pop Insider. Each points are actually in manufacturing. To e book your area in our new points, please contact Jackie Breyer, James Devin, or Stephanie Katz.
Trending Merchandise
