Licensing International, the leading trade association for the $340+ billion global brand licensing industry, has released an executive summary of its 8th annual Global Licensing Industry Study. The study shows the continued global sales growth of licensed merchandise across categories spanning retail, entertainment, sports, and more. The full report will be published later this summer and was conducted by third-party research firm Brandar Consulting, LLC.

Funko, Inc, in partnership with ‘90s retail giant Blockbuster, announced the debut of its retro entertainment product line, Rewind, focused on delivering nostalgia directly to consumers through collectibles and packaging fashioned around the iconic Blockbuster design. Each newly designed collectible figure comes encased in VHS-type packaging unique to each IP, reminiscent of a time before Y2K when VHS reigned supreme. Giving fans the opportunity to relive the cherished memory of renting a movie on a Friday night with family and friends, each figure will also come with a membership card designed to mirror Blockbuster’s memorable design.

Purpose Toys, the nation’s largest and fastest growing culture-driven toy company has announced the historic launch of Purpose Toys LATIN, a cultural-focused division founded with the goal of uplifting and celebrating the Latino community. The division has launched “Latinistas,” the world’s first and only all-Latina fashion doll line sold market-wide at major retail. “Latinistas” is “Una Celebración de la Cultura Latina!” Designed to reflect the beauty and diversity of the Latino community, Latinistas boast a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, varying hair textures, diverse facial features, diversity in heritage, backgrounds, and aspirational interests. Latinistas awaken toy aisles with a dose of cultural authenticity, in a historically culturally ambiguous toy market.