Alliance Entertainment Forges Future of Collectibles with Tech and Toys at NYTF 2026

PLANTATION, Fla. – February 12, 2026 – As the doors prepare to open at the New York Toy Fair, Alliance Entertainment is set to capture the industry’s attention with a dual-pronged showcase that merges nostalgic, tangible collectibles with sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technology. The entertainment and pop culture distributor (NASDAQ: AENT) will use the high-profile event to debut new products from its quirky Handmade by Robots™ brand while simultaneously introducing its Endstate Authentic platform, a system designed to bring trust and verification to the booming, yet vulnerable, collectibles market.

This strategic presentation at Booth #5451 highlights a company evolving far beyond its distribution roots, aiming not just to supply the market but to fundamentally shape its future infrastructure.

The Knit-Look Invasion at Toy Fair

Headlining the company’s product showcase is Handmade by Robots, the distinctive vinyl figure brand known for its proprietary “knit-look” aesthetic that gives beloved characters the appearance of handcrafted, knitted toys. Acquired by Alliance in late 2024, the brand has been touted as a “meaningful contributor” to the company’s owned-brand strategy, a claim substantiated by recent financial performance. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, Alliance reported a remarkable 31% year-over-year increase in collectibles revenue, growth it partially attributed to the successful integration of Handmade by Robots.

At the Javits Center, the brand will pull the curtain back on a slate of new figures from globally recognized and cherished franchises. Attendees will get a first look at characters from Sanrio, the Broadway hit Wicked, Peanuts, Sonic the Hedgehog, SpongeBob SquarePants, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These debuts are not just about new characters; Alliance is also introducing limited-edition chase variants and new product formats, tactics designed to deepen collector engagement and increase the average value of purchases. Upcoming releases, such as electroplated Snoopy and pearlescent SpongeBob figures, underscore a move towards premium, limited-edition items that cater to serious collectors.

A Two-Pronged Strategy for Pop Culture Dominance

While the new toys will draw the crowds, Alliance Entertainment’s presence at Toy Fair tells a larger story of strategic evolution. The company has built a formidable empire as a distribution powerhouse, serving over 35,000 retail and e-commerce storefronts with a staggering catalog of over 340,000 unique SKUs. This vast network has made it an indispensable partner for brands seeking omnichannel fulfillment. However, the company is increasingly complementing its distribution prowess with a robust owned-brand strategy.

By acquiring and nurturing brands like Handmade by Robots, Alliance gains greater control over the value chain, from product creation to final sale. This integrated model appears to be paying off handsomely. The company's fiscal year 2025 saw net income surge by 229% to $15.1 million, and the positive momentum has continued into fiscal 2026. The first quarter of FY26 delivered an 11% year-over-year revenue increase and a 46% jump in gross profit, with adjusted EBITDA growing an impressive 259%.

This strategy is further bolstered by strengthening its distribution partnerships with other premium collectibles brands. Recent exclusive agreements with Weta Workshop (The Lord of the Rings) and Master Replicas (Star Trek, Blade Runner) solidify Alliance's position as the go-to partner for high-end pop culture merchandise, creating a symbiotic relationship where its distribution network supports premier brands and its owned brands benefit from the established infrastructure.

The Digital Guardian: Tackling the Counterfeit Problem

Perhaps the most forward-looking aspect of Alliance’s showcase is the Endstate Authentic platform. While collectors browse the latest figures, Alliance will be meeting with industry leaders to address one of the market's most corrosive problems: counterfeiting. The collectibles market, projected to grow to over $500 billion within the next decade, is plagued by fraud. Some estimates suggest that up to 40% of art sales may involve forgeries, representing tens of billions in illicit trade annually. This erodes collector trust and devalues legitimate products.

Endstate Authentic is Alliance’s answer. The platform leverages secure Near Field Communication (NFC) technology embedded directly into physical products. When a collector taps the item with a smartphone, the NFC chip—which contains a secure, un-clonable identifier—verifies the product's authenticity in real-time. This process links the physical collectible to a persistent digital certificate of authenticity, creating an unalterable record of provenance and ownership.

This technology positions Alliance at the forefront of an industry-wide push for better security. Competitors like Switzerland-based collectID and the coin-grading service PCGS are also employing NFC and blockchain solutions to protect assets. What sets Endstate Authentic apart is its potential for seamless integration into Alliance's massive existing ecosystem, offering a turnkey solution for the numerous brands and retailers it already serves.

Building a Trusted Ecosystem for the Future

Endstate Authentic’s ambitions extend beyond simple verification. The platform is designed to support the entire lifecycle of a collectible, from its initial sale through the burgeoning secondary market. By providing a reliable method for authenticating items during resale, Endstate can foster a more trusted and liquid market for collectors looking to trade or sell their prized possessions. This capability is crucial, as the platform enables secure ownership verification and authenticated resale without requiring custom hardware or disruptive changes to existing manufacturing and retail workflows.

At Toy Fair, the Endstate team’s agenda is packed with meetings aimed at building a broad coalition of partners, including grading companies, resale platforms, and licensors. The goal is to establish a new industry standard for security and transparency.

“New York Toy Fair is the ultimate stage for showcasing creativity and connecting with both new and long-standing customers,” said Mike Schimmel, SVP Collectibles at Alliance Entertainment, in a statement. “We’re excited to present Handmade by Robots alongside our broader portfolio, reinforcing our commitment to delivering unique, high-quality collectibles to fans everywhere.”

This blend of creative product development and foundational technology illustrates a comprehensive vision for the future of collecting. As fans and investors alike pour into the market, Alliance Entertainment is making a bold play to ensure the products they love are not only desirable but also verifiably authentic, securing value and trust for generations of collectors to come.