Hollywood, Saturday, 15 November 2025.
Universal’s opening of a LINE FRIENDS SQUARE at CityWalk Hollywood—one of only three LINE FRIENDS SQUARE locations in the US—signals a deliberate shift: park-adjacent retail is being used as a low-friction testbed for international character IP that drives differentiated spend. The store couples location-exclusive drops, K‑Pop collaborations and customizable COLLER x Universal products with a high-visibility LED façade and proximity to the Universal Studio Store, creating a guest-capture funnel for both tourists and local shoppers. For retail professionals, the most intriguing fact is scarcity: limited US footprints increase urgency and premium pricing, but demand volatility requires tight inventory controls, rapid replenishment for high-turn SKUs, and integrated cross-promotion with park operations. Expect this model to influence licensing terms, revenue-per-guest metrics in entertainment districts, and partnerships that prioritise cultural resonance and exclusivity over broad distribution.