merchandising strategy

Orlando, Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
Universal Destinations & Experiences is executing a coordinated, IP-first retail play this fall that syndicates regionally proven lines—most notably Japan’s fan‑favorite HamiKuma—into Universal Orlando and Hollywood, creating limited‑edition scarcity to lift per‑capita spend. The most intriguing fact: HamiKuma, previously contained to Universal Studios Japan, will be sold in Orlando and Hollywood, signaling deliberate cross‑park SKU transfers rather than isolated local drops. For retail planners this means tighter SKU selection governance, regional licensing complexity, and supply‑chain flexibility to handle synchronized seasonal spikes. The program aligns merchandise timing with park programming and media moments (including televised promotion of Epic Universe), increasing conversion potential through coordinated demand signals. Operational implications include reallocated inventory, seasonal staffing for immersive retail environments, margin management via exclusivity pricing, and measurable upside from collectible positioning. Retail teams should treat this as a blueprint for leveraging proven IP globally while building executional muscle in omnichannel assortment planning and inventory choreography.

Orlando, Monday, 1 September 2025.
Universal Destinations & Experiences is staging a coordinated, global Halloween merchandise rollout for fall 2025 that centralises licensing and pushes region-specific lines—most notably Japan-origin HamiKuma items—across parks including Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. For retail planners this signals a shift to scalable, locale-tailored SKU migration designed to lift per-capita spend during seasonal peaks while amplifying destination launches such as Epic Universe through synchronized broadcast and media support. The move, announced as part of broader expansion activity and tied to ongoing UK resort planning, highlights merchandise as both revenue driver and brand-consistency tool. Operators should expect increased central curation of IP-based assortments, tighter cross-park supply flows, and opportunities for higher-margin limited-edition drops during extended event periods like Halloween Horror Nights. Practical implications include revising SKU strategies, forecasting models, and store-level merchandising calendars to capture trans-market demand and leverage PR momentum from park openings and special events across the estate now.