2016 sees Pokémon celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Esdevium Games has announced record sales for the Pokémon trading card game (TCG) ahead of this year’s Toy Fair. NPD sales data shows the Pokémon TCG to have made significant gains for both of the last two years, with growth of 34% in 2014, followed by a further 56% in 2015.
Esdevium’s managing director, Steve Buckmaster, commented: “We haven’t seen sales figures of this magnitude since it first launched in the UK. The growth the Pokémon TCG has enjoyed over the last year or two has really elevated it to a position where we genuinely feel every toy store should be listing it.”
The Pokémon Company International marks a milestone year in 2016, as it celebrates 20 years since the first Pokémon games. The company is gearing up year-long celebrations around the best known Pokémon experiences – video games, TCG and the animation.
“There are some really exciting things happening with the Pokémon brand this year, including some unique and very exciting TCG items we think fans will absolutely love,” Steve Buckmaster added. “If stores are not on board with Pokémon already, now is undoubtedly the perfect time to get started.”
