AI Is Making Counterfeit Merchandise Harder to Spot: What Retailers Should Know

AI Is Making Counterfeit Merchandise Harder to Spot: What Retailers Should Know

AI is making counterfeit merchandise easier to create and much harder to recognize. For independent retailers, a professional website, convincing product photos and polished listings are no longer proof that a supplier or product is legitimate. Here’s what retailers should know about the growing counterfeit market, how AI is changing it and why authentic, officially licensed merchandise may be more valuable than ever.

Cheech & Chong: How Two Counterculture Comedians Changed Comedy, Cannabis Culture and American Pop Culture

Cheech & Chong: How Two Counterculture Comedians Changed Comedy, Cannabis Culture and American Pop Culture

Long before cannabis dispensaries became ordinary storefronts and 4/20 became an unofficial cultural holiday, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong were making Americans laugh about a part of society that mainstream...
Joshua Lundorff
Skateboarder wearing a Zoo York t-shirt in NYC

Zoo York Is Back: The Story Behind One of New York’s Most Influential Skate Brands

Zoo York helped define New York skate and street culture in the 1990s, blending skateboarding, graffiti, hip-hop and NYC attitude into an iconic global brand. Discover the story behind Zoo York’s influence, its modern revival, and why this legendary skate brand is finding a new generation of fans.

Joshua Lundorff
Collegiate Apparel Licensing 101: What Retailers Need to Know Before Buying

Collegiate Apparel Licensing 101: What Retailers Need to Know Before Buying

College sports have some of the most loyal fans in all of entertainment so merchandise sales can be easy for retailers. With that said, it's important for retailers to understand the industry and process behind collegiate merchandise licensing. This helps retailers avoid legal pitfalls while more fully understanding where collegiate merchandise fits in their stores.

Joshua Lundorff
Sourcing Licensed Wholesale Graphic Tees:  A Guide for Retailers

Sourcing Licensed Wholesale Graphic Tees: A Guide for Retailers

Finding wholesale graphic tees with authentic licenses, manufacturer-direct pricing, and low minimums doesn't have to mean working with a dozen different suppliers. This guide breaks down the top-selling graphic tee categories for retailers in 2026, from band merchandise and licensed art to horror movies and national parks, plus the pricing and inventory strategies that protect your margins.

Joshua Lundorff
Funko Sadness Vinyl Figure

Funko Overexposed: Why Retailers Are Turning to Tubbz Collectible Ducks

The collectible market is changing fast. Funko’s oversaturated lineup and recent financial troubles have left collectors searching for something that feels new again. Our latest article explores what’s happening behind the scenes and how this shift affects retailers.

We also highlight why Tubbz is gaining attention as a fun and distinctive alternative. If you want to understand where the momentum is moving, this is the perfect place to start.

Joshua Lundorff
Tagged: Funko Tubbz
Riding the Wave with TUBBZ - The Licensed Collectible Toy Brand Making a Splash in Retail

Riding the Wave with TUBBZ - The Licensed Collectible Toy Brand Making a Splash in Retail

TUBBZ are making waves in the world of collectible toys. These officially licensed rubber ducks have quickly evolved from a niche novelty into one of the fastest-growing collectible lines in retail. With more than 3.4 million units sold in 2025 and a thriving collector and resale market, TUBBZ are capturing attention from fans and retailers alike. See why so many stores are adding these pop culture favorites to their shelves through Merch Showroom.

Joshua Lundorff
Understanding the Different Types of TUBBZ Collectibles: Boxed, Mini, First Edition and More

Understanding the Different Types of TUBBZ Collectibles: Boxed, Mini, First Edition and More

Tubbz are arguably the fastest growing collectible toy in the world.  These licensed cosplay ducks feature the likenesses of characters from comics, video games, music, TV, movies and more.   This isn't just hype.  Tubbz worldwide sales growth and development of a collector's community are factual indicators of Tubbz growth.   For retailers, understanding the different types of Tubbz (Boxed, First Edition, Mini) will help them determine the appropriate inventory management and sourcing for their store.   Rubber Road, the parent company of Tubbz offers competitive wholesale pricing with an almost unlimited product catalog that touches an all fandoms.  These profitable collectible toys are now available at Merch Showroom.com.   This enables retailers source manufacturer-direct wholesale Tubbz via our quick and easy wholesale marketplace. 

Joshua Lundorff
What is a Blind Box Collectible?

What is a Blind Box Collectible?

If you're a retailer in the toy or collectible industries, you probably already understand the power of blind box collectibles.    If not, we're here for you.  We'll break down the definition and psychology of blind box collectibles.   In this article we'll explain how blind boxes can increase retail impulse buys in your store.  This delivers a larger average order value and encourages repeat purchases from your customers.  Check it out!

Joshua Lundorff
Giant Vintage INXS Tee

GMerch LLC Revives Iconic '90s Band Merch Brand Giant Merchandising

Giant Merchandising was an iconic '90's band tee manufacturer loved by 1000's of fans worldwide.  Today Giant vintage tees are the holy grail of 1990's band tees.   They sell for $100's and are highly sought after by vintage tee collectors.   Recently, Gmerch LLC announced that they have taken over the Giant branding and just released a new collection of brand new 90's-inspired band tees to retailers.   Get the full story about the history of Giant Vintage, the reimagined future for this iconic brand, and information about how retailers can purchase Giant Vintage wholesale. 

Joshua Lundorff
The Hollywood Machine Fuels Beetlejuice 2024: A Blockbuster with Merchandising Power

The Hollywood Machine Fuels Beetlejuice 2024: A Blockbuster with Merchandising Power

The 2024 Beetlejuice movie sequel is here, bringing back iconic characters and introducing a new generation to the afterlife's chaotic fun. With Hollywood’s full support, this blockbuster is driving massive merchandising opportunities, from apparel to collectibles. Retailers can now tap into the excitement by accessing officially licensed Beetlejuice products at Merch Showroom.   These items are perfect for meeting the growing demand in 2024 and beyond.
Joshua Lundorff
A cartoon-style image of a man wearing glasses with a frustrated look on his face while he looks at his laptop.   A large question mark is above him.

What is Brand Licensing?

Brand licensing is an industry term used to describe when a brand allows another company to use their trademarks or intellectual property.   In return, the brand receives royalty payments from the licensee.   In this article, we describe the brand licensing process, why it matters to retailers, and how these agreements define whether an item is authentic merchandise.

Joshua Lundorff