Mattel is promoting new Latina versions of Barbie, based on the Latina pop group RBD. The dolls are available in stores in the U.S. now, and will be in Latin America and some European countries by the fall.

I think the dolls are a step in the right direction, both in terms of appealing to the Latina market and increasing the ethnic diversity of dolls on the shelves. That said, thse dolls still promote an unrealistic body type. Still, I’d rather my child play with these dolls instead of a
traditional blonde Barbie.

The Associated Press is reporting that major U.S. retailer
Kmart is pinning hopes of a recovery from slumping sales on an initiative to showcase “ethnic” or multicultural dolls on its store shelves. The difference between these dolls and dark-skinned Barbie dolls? Greater authenticity. According to the AP,

“The next generation of dolls have diverse eyes, noses and mouths instead of the traditional “white” dolls whose skin was dyed and whose hair was tinted in a darker shade.”

Competition for this market is fierce. Also from the article:

But the retailer likely faces an uphill battle as it tries to woo shoppers away from heavyweight competitors Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us, whose large selections of the popular Barbie and Bratz dolls give them an even bigger advantage in appealing to minority shoppers. “I think they’re going down a very tough road,” said toy analyst Jim Silver, editor of Toy Wishes magazine. “Why would I buy a generic ethnic doll over this major brand that has all these accessories?”