Twilight Dollars Taking a Slight Dip

Starting summer 2008 largely fueled by the Breaking Dawn release and the Twilight filming, licensed merchandise drove in record sales even in this slumping economy for Hot Topic, Borders, and others. This week the Blu-ray went into wide release including the delux collectors edition.

Given that the Twilight movie came out in November, it had to happen sometime. Sales look like they are finally falling off on the Twilight merchandising craze that started just a little more than a year ago.

According to Forbes:

Hot Topic has escaped much of the sales turmoil other retailers have faced amid the consumer spending drop-off. But analysts have speculated that much of the retailer’s sales outperformance is temporary due to the apparel license for the “Twilight” movie.

In a recorded sales call, the company said “Twilight” merchandise had less prominence in Hot Topic stores and thus fell “considerably” as a percentage of the total business.”

Hot Topic isn’t alone.  Warner music, who put out the soundtrack,  is also feeling the pinch.

“The world’s third largest music company posted a net loss of $68 million, or 45 cents a share in its fiscal second quarter ended March 31 compared with a year-earlier loss of $37 million, or 25 cents a share.”

Could it be that the Twilight merchandising has finally met its saturation point, or are people just taking a breather until New Moon hits?

Anyway for a bit of shameless commercialism on our part, check out the Lexicon shop (a few featured designs in this post).  It’s a little too later for Mother’s Day merchandise on time arrival, but gift certificates are always an option. If you have a Twi-Guy start thinking ahead for Father’s Day.