With a Pokémon store opening in London, collectors need to remember that the TCG isn’t the only thing that matters

Look, I was also excited to see the news of an official Pokémon store coming to the UK—especially as a UK citizen myself. The hope of getting some more Pokémon cards and going to a real-life equivalent of the virtual Pokémon Center had me as giddy as a child. But with the Pokémon TCG craze still as prevalent as ever and demand ridiculously high, I wouldn’t expect it to be easy to fill your baskets with packs. Sorry to dampen the mood.

I, like many other Pokémon TCG collectors, dream of walking into a store, shelves filled with various Pokémon sets, both old and new, and sweeping them into my arms, racing to the checkout, a smile beaming from my face. But the franchise is much bigger than chasing rare cards—there’s a lot of merchandise beyond the TCG.

Scheduled to open by 2029, when I’m old and frail (29 years old), the London Pokémon store promises exclusive merch and one-of-a-kind experiences for Trainers of all ages. When I read that last bit, I felt seen. The only way we have to see what the UK store may offer is by looking at stores already open in Asia, and that dream of packs filling the shelves is still a bit of good ol’ fashioned hope.

There are lots of plushies, shirts, and cool accessories. The Pokémon Center isn’t simply for cards — it’s for the franchise as a whole. With more stock going to the US in the West, I fully expect to see plenty of Pokémon TCG stock in-store, but the reality is that it will likely be heavily limited or fairly simple, unless demand quiets over the years before the store’s opening.

Fortunately, it’s not stopping at London. The opening of permanent Pokémon stores outside of Asia is only just starting, so if you’re in other countries or regions, chances are that London may not be your closest option.

So, basically, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the reality is: don’t go to the London store if you’re hoping for lots of Pokémon cards. I will be there first, and I will be buying everything, and you cannot stop me. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be there in time to get the Pokémon 35th Anniversary set.