World: Disney items to gross $23B
Walt Disney Co. said retailers will sell $23 billion U.S. of products emblazoned with its characters in fiscal 2006, a 10-per-cent rise from 2005, helped by $600 million U.S. in merchandise revenue from the Pixar film Cars. The forecast includes a 13-per-cent increase to $3.4 billion U.S. in sales at Disney's Princess line, which is aimed at young girls. Burbank, California-based Disney has benefited from sales of Cars-branded products such as televisions, clocks and birthday-party plates and napkins. Cars has brought in $117.1 million U.S. in theatres since it opened earlier this month.