Martha Stewart reveals $2 billion in merchandise sales and past royalty deals
Martha Stewart disclosed that her brand generated close to $2 billion in merchandise sales, funding her magazine and other ventures.
During a sit-down with MasterClass CEO David Rogier, 85-year-old Martha Stewart disclosed that her brand sold almost $2 billion worth of merchandise, a sum that underwrote the creation of her magazine and related businesses. She recalled striking a Kmart deal in the 1980s that granted her substantial royalties on every product she designed, with the retailer footing a $20 million advertising budget for the first year. Stewart credited her then-husband Andrew Stewart for helping negotiate that agreement.
She added that contemporary royalty structures are far smaller, limiting the potential for comparable earnings. The interview also touched on her early catering work, lucrative cookbook advances, and the fact that she often receives product compensation, such as $40,000 worth of clothing for attending a fashion show.
