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Pokémon cards are becoming a survival strategy for Aussie retailers
And now that cards are becoming a commodity, larger companies are now following suit.
He started selling high-end sneakers and streetwear from brands like Supreme and Yeezy before adding coveted collectibles like Labubus and even Rhode beauty products to the mix during peak demand.
After converting a warehouse in Moorebank into a streetwear store and dessert shop, he has now set his sights on Pokémon cards, a hobby he says is “going through the roof”.
“I have 45 to 50 year old men calling me. One man asked me for 50 pack bundles.
“We’re talking about 50-year-old men who have switched from watches to Pokémon, because Pokémon has more value than a Rolex.”
“You buy a Rolex, you might turn around and fix it in a year [up to] five thousand, while you buy 50 packs worth five thousand, and you might pull out a card worth a few thousand.
“It has a gambling aspect, it’s a thrill.”
“One of the most incredible cards I ever filmed was the PSA 10 1st Edition Charizard, the same card that Logan Paul just sold for over $1 million,” he told Nine.com.au.
“I got to reveal the PSA 10 rating of that card to the owner Will years before that sale, the whole day was very surreal.”
“I’ve seen card shows evolve from small events with maybe 100 attendees to huge conventions with thousands of people walking through the doors,” he said.
They say Pokémon cards make up “at least 80 percent” of the tables at their shows, and they’ve seen cards worth as much as $80,000 at the events.
“Retailers will always have a place in the hobby, though, especially as a place where people can just go during the week to buy and sell cards,” Blair said.
Despite being one of the few secondary retailers selling Pokémon products, George says it’s only a matter of time before his competitors jump on the trend.
“Everyone’s going to start, I guarantee every secondary resale store in Australia will be selling Pokémon within the next two, three, four weeks because no one is spending money on anything else.
“Pokémon is sold out immediately, they have to go to the secondary market.
“You just have to chase what’s on sale right now,” George said.
“In this current time, it’s so tough, so we’re working harder than ever.”
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