capital investment

Dallas, Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
Merlin’s 2025 play strategy doubles down on IP‑led growth in North America, unveiling a second U.S. Peppa Pig park in Dallas–Fort Worth, a £70 million allocation to space‑themed LEGOLAND upgrades including indoor rollercoasters, and a global ‘celebration of play’ marketing push. For operators and investors, the intriguing fact is the explicit prioritisation of mid‑market resort premiumisation over flagship megaprojects — directing capital to scalable, lower‑capex attractions designed to lift attendance and per‑capita spend. The plan signals focused regional penetration in key U.S. family segments, leveraging proven IP to differentiate offerings across the portfolio. Retail professionals should note implications for ancillary revenue strategies, seasonality smoothing via festival programming, and the operational lift from inclusive design (e.g., certified Autism Centre features at the new Peppa Pig park). Execution timelines span 2025 openings and early‑2026 attraction launches, with measurable KPIs likely to centre on yield per visit instead of attendance and retention.

Zhuhai, Monday, 20 October 2025.
Chimelong Group announced in October a near‑US$1 billion expansion at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom aimed at creating what the company markets as the world’s largest oceanarium centered on a vast new glass‑domed habitat. The most intriguing element is the scale of life‑support upgrades—advanced filtration, biosecurity and energy systems engineered to house larger animals at higher exhibit density—raising immediate procurement and operational opportunities for suppliers of large‑format glazing, water‑treatment and themed‑entertainment systems. For retail and resort operators, the project signals potential increases in attendance and guest dwell time, with direct implications for F&B, retail yield and licensing partnerships. It also sharpens regulatory and ESG scrutiny around animal welfare, long‑term operating economics and capital payback. Operators and vendors should monitor forthcoming tender windows for structural glazing, bespoke filtration and exhibit‑tech integrations while preparing proposals that address maintenance intensity, energy management and biosecurity requirements unique to oversized enclosed aquaria.