FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas ranked 10th nationally in merchandise and apparel sales during the 2012-13 school year, Collegiate Licensing Company reported Monday.
Arkansas jumped four spots from its position in the reported rankings from the year before, cracking the top 10 for the first time since it became a CLC-partnered institution in 1988. Texas held the top spot among universities last year, while Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, Kentucky, LSU, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina rounded out the top nine.
The Razorbacks earned royalties in excess of $4 million in the last fiscal year - a 7 percent increase from the year before and highest ever for the program. CLC reported the retail market place for licensed college merchandise in 2012-13 was an estimated $4.62 billion.
The top apparel categories last year included T-shirts, women's apparel, fleece and headwear, according to CLC. NIKE was the highest-selling apparel company, while EA Sports topped the non-apparel sales.
Arkansas-based Houndstooth Clothing Co. ranked 12th in sales among CLC licensees.