The Australian Associated Press have released an article stating that toy sales for the year 2015-2016 are forecast to be the strongest in a decade. According to research performed by the NPD Group the US toy market has seen a 6.2% growth on the previous year with sales up to $19.9 billion (US). In 2014 toy sales rose by 4%.

The NPD Group report that the growth is being fuelled by increasing popularity of collectibles, toys based on Hollywood Blockbusters, and better technology which provides a more interactive experience for children.  It comes as great news to everyone in the toy industry as sales have slowed and sometimes been in decline over the last decade as children have become more interested in technology rather than toys.

"The selection is much greater than in the past," said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of TTPM, an online toy review site. "Technology is much better in the toy aisle, and it's really inspiring young kids to play but also bringing older kids to things like radio control and role play items."

Surging demand for all things "Frozen" helped the toy industry achieve a rare gain in 2014. Toys related to the blockbuster about a princess who sets off to find her sister with icy powers were popular. In fact, Frozen was the top toy brand in 2014, reaching $US531 million in sales, according to NPD.

And the Hollywood infatuation is expected to continue with the release of the Star Wars movie on December 18: Hundreds of products, from puzzles to action figures related to Star Wars, are expected to exceed Frozen's success.

Marty Brochstein, who's with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association, says the LightSaber from Hasbro, which features motion sensor-controlled sound effects, already are on backorder. He says Star Wars appeals to both kids and adults.

"It's multi-generational," Brochstein says.

Hasbro, the nation's second largest toy company, reported a jump in second-quarter profit last month, helped by toys related to "Star Wars."

Hasbro has the major merchandising licensing rights to make Star Wars toys from now until 2020. It's also teaming up with Walt Disney Co's consumer products division to make Frozen dolls in 2016. That deal froze out Mattel, which sells the dolls based on Frozen characters.

Toys R Us' new CEO David Brandon says the retailer is placing big bets this holiday season on brands like Star Wars to help boost sluggish US sales.

"It will be very interesting to see at the end of the holiday season where the growth comes from. And how much growth there is," Brandon says.

Toy companies are pushing remote controlled cars and droids controlled by smartphones. And robotic creatures are becoming more life-like with voice recognition features.

Hasbro's StarLily My Magical Unicorn, for example, responds to voice and touch with more than 100 sound and motion combinations. Mattel also is hoping technology will help it reverse years of slumping sales.

"You want to make sure that you give them enough that they're going to want to walk away from their iPads and phones," said Mattel's Executive Vice President Geoff Walker.

Mattel's new Barbie features speech recognition and can have a two-way conversation with girls. And its Fisher-Price brand has Smart Bear, an interactive plush bear marketed as having the brains of a computer without the screen - and is linked to a smartphone app. Fisher-Price also is pushing a robotic dinosaur.

Credit to Yahoo! News and AAP for the story.