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Traditional toys will always have a place in the toy aisle, but increasingly digital products and properties are driving trends in children’s play.

With toy industry-leading global fairs on the horizon, it’s fitting to take a look at worldwide toy trends both currently finding success at market and into 2014.

In 2014, digital properties and technologies in all its iterations are sure to find their way to mass and specialty retailers around the globe, and in a very big way. According to The NPD Group, Americans spent $3.4 billion on gaming content in Q3 (July through September), a 17 percent increase over the same period in 2012. The category has exponential growth capabilities, with markets widening all the time. In September, China lifted its 13-year ban on the sale of video game consoles (source: The Hollywood Reporter), opening up the territory for game developers. And with video game properties spawning consumer products and entertainment franchises, it’s only logical that the properties will drive toy trends in the future. …

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