Pokémon card demand surges as resellers drive up prices
Collectors queue overnight at London stores as speculation inflates the market for the trading cards.
At a glance
- Fans queued overnight outside a London pop culture retailer for a Friday card release
- The market is being driven by speculation similar to cryptocurrency hype
- Resellers are competing with collectors for limited stock despite retailer restrictions
Demand for Pokémon cards has intensified, with fans camping outside retailers to secure the latest releases. A collector who queued from 3am at a London store said the market was being driven by hype comparable to cryptocurrency speculation.
Retailers are implementing sales restrictions to manage demand, though resellers continue to make up a significant portion of those seeking cards, according to observers at the store.
Why it matters
The surge in Pokémon card demand reflects broader trends in collectibles markets where speculation can outpace genuine fan interest, affecting availability and pricing.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — CultureGotta buy ’em all: how Pokémon card collecting became race against scalpers
- The Guardian — BusinessGotta buy ’em all: how Pokémon card collecting became race against scalpers
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
