Warner Music to Sell Merch Business EMP
It acquired the specialist rock and metal e-tailer in 2018
Warner Music Group (WMG) is planning to sell its EMP business, having acquired the rock and metal merchandise e-retailer in 2018 for $180 million.
The details:
Music Business Worldwide reports that the plan is outlined in WMG’s latest quarterly SEC filing.
It expects to complete the sale in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, which is calendar Q1.
The sale is in line with CEO Robert Kyncl’s announcement in July 2025 that the company would be divesting non-core assets as part of a $300 million cost cutting exercise.
Backstory:
EMP was founded in Germany in 1986 and sells merchandise from artists including Twenty One Pilots, Metallica, Guns N’Roses, Nirvana, AC/DC and more.
It also distributes products from brands such as Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Nintendo, PlayStation and Vans.
Warner Music Group (WMG) is planning to sell its EMP business, having acquired the rock and metal merchandise e-retailer in 2018 for $180 million.
The details:
Music Business Worldwide reports that the plan is outlined in WMG’s latest quarterly SEC filing.
It expects to complete the sale in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, which is calendar Q1.
The sale is in line with CEO Robert Kyncl’s announcement in July 2025 that the company would be divesting non-core assets as part of a $300 million cost cutting exercise.
Backstory:
EMP was founded in Germany in 1986 and sells merchandise from artists including Twenty One Pilots, Metallica, Guns N’Roses, Nirvana, AC/DC and more.
It also distributes products from brands such as Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Nintendo, PlayStation and Vans.
Warner Music Group (WMG) is planning to sell its EMP business, having acquired the rock and metal merchandise e-retailer in 2018 for $180 million.
The details:
Music Business Worldwide reports that the plan is outlined in WMG’s latest quarterly SEC filing.
It expects to complete the sale in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, which is calendar Q1.
The sale is in line with CEO Robert Kyncl’s announcement in July 2025 that the company would be divesting non-core assets as part of a $300 million cost cutting exercise.
Backstory:
EMP was founded in Germany in 1986 and sells merchandise from artists including Twenty One Pilots, Metallica, Guns N’Roses, Nirvana, AC/DC and more.
It also distributes products from brands such as Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Nintendo, PlayStation and Vans.
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This story was written with information from Music Business Worldwide.
We covered it because it’s news of WMG divesting assets.
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