Disney Tops Global Licensors List as Industry Hits $338B in Retail Sales
Event summary
- Global Licensing Group released its 2026 Top Global Licensors whitepaper, ranking brands by retail sales of licensed consumer products.
- Total retail sales reached $338.33 billion in 2025, up 10% from the previous year.
- Disney maintained its top position, followed by Authentic Brands Group and People Inc.
- The report identified 10 new entrants, including Peanuts Worldwide, Ford, Ocean Spray Cranberries, and COVER Corporation.
- Counterfeit products impact up to a quarter of a company's annual revenue, with apparel and accessories being the most vulnerable category.
The big picture
The brand licensing industry is evolving from a merchandising strategy to a comprehensive brand experience ecosystem, with entertainment and media leading the charge. The $338.33 billion in retail sales highlights the commercial impact of IP-driven consumer engagement through strategic brand extensions. This growth is driven by factors such as brand loyalty, identity expression, expanding product categories, and global market expansion.
What we're watching
- Market Expansion
- How the increasing international adoption of licensed products will drive growth in emerging markets.
- Category Diversification
- Whether brands can sustain momentum as licensing expands beyond traditional categories into home goods, electronics, and food/beverage.
- Counterfeit Mitigation
- The pace at which companies implement anti-counterfeiting measures to protect their revenue streams.
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