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Tag: Pokémon

Another sensational year for the Pokémon trading card game & toys in Europe

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The Pokémon Company International announced today that Pokémon celebrated another sensational year at retail in 2023, increasing sales across Europe for its Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and toy ranges.

Pokémon maintained its position as the No. 1 property in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and also achieved its highest-ever annual position in the U.K., Germany and Italy, according to figures recorded by Circana[1].

Pokémon was the No. 1 Circana toy property in France once again, with sales almost double that of the No. 2 brand for a third successive year, achieving six percent growth year on year. The best-performing top 15 property, Pokémon also had five items in the top 20 toys of the year.

In 2023, Pokémon achieved its highest-ever annual position in Germany, the U.K. and Italy. It was No. 2 in Germany (up from No. 4) with 38 percent growth, was the best-performing top 15 property and featured five products in the year’s top 50 toys by revenue. In the U.K., Pokémon was No. 2 (up from No. 4), with the second-highest growth in the top 15 properties at 14 percent. Pokémon moved up to No. 3 in Italy (up from No. 4), with a remarkable 68 percent growth year-on-year — the second strongest growth among top 15 properties.

Pokémon was again No. 1 in both Belgium and the Netherlands, with four products in the top 50 items for the year in the latter country.

“Our continued commitment to innovation and finding new ways to connect with fans resulted in another packed programme of activity and irresistible launches which created huge buzz and massive demand, leading to another year of vigorous sales,” said Mathieu Galante, licensing director EMEA for The Pokémon Company International. “With more exciting activity planned over the coming months, we are working hard to keep Pokémon at the forefront of popular culture and build on 2023’s outstanding performance at retail.”

“The Pokémon TCG continues to go from strength to strength, with another fabulous year in 2023,” said Simon Benton, vice president of Pokémon TCG sales for Europe. “It’s in no small part down to the wonderful support of our retail partners and distributors who have worked tirelessly with us to raise the profile of our products — and TCG in particular — to consumers. Despite a challenging retail environment, Pokémon continues to see robust growth, remaining the No. 1 Circana property in three countries and gaining its highest-ever position in other key territories. We look forward to building on this success further in 2024.”

This significant growth was recognized by Circana (formerly NPD), who awarded Pokémon three major awards at Spielwarenmesse in Germany, Europe’s largest toy fair. The brand won Global Top Toy Property of the Year, Europe’s Top Gaining Property Total Toys and Europe’s Top Gaining Property Games & Puzzles.

[1] Source: Circana / Retail Tracking Service / Value Sales, January-December 2023 / EU8

The Pokémon Company International partners with The Van Gogh Museum

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The Pokémon Company International partners with The Van Gogh Museum for Special ‘Pokémon x Van Gogh’ Art Collaboration

See Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax and many other Pokémon in a whole new way starting 28  September until 7 January 2024 at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.  Experience a variety of Pokémon themed activities across the museum and online aimed at introducing and teaching young budding artists about the works of Vincent van Gogh.

 To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum, Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum have launched an official collaboration aimed at introducing new audiences to the work of Vincent van Gogh. Both Vincent van Gogh’s work and Pokémon have a special connection with Japanese art and culture. Japanese prints had a profound impact on Vincent’s art and on his world view. Speaking to his brother Theo in a letter in September 1888, Vincent said ‘And we wouldn’t be able to study Japanese art, it seems to me, without becoming much happier and more cheerful, and it makes us return to nature, despite our education and our work in a world of convention.’

Emilie Gordenker, General Director of the Van Gogh Museum commented: ‘This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way. The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company International have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum.’ 

The Pokémon and Van Gogh Museum collaboration will feature the following activations running from 28 September until 7 January 2024. To participate in the activities, a regular museum admission ticket is required which can only be purchased online.

‘Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum’ presentation (permanent collection, floor 1)
Several of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous works from the permanent collection of the Van Gogh Museum served as inspiration for six paintings made by artists from The Pokémon Company. Examples include, Pikachu shown in a work that is inspired by Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887), the Pokémon Sunflora is hidden in a variant of Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers (1889), and you can find Snorlax and Munchlax relaxing in a work inspired by The Bedroom (1888). You can admire these six specially created paintings on the first floor of the Rietveld building (Rietveldgebouw)

A Pokémon Adventure activity (6 years+, activity leaflets are handed out at the Atrium)
A Pokémon Adventure leaflet will lead visitors along the works by Vincent van Gogh that served as inspiration for the paintings in the six-piece special presentation, Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum. During the activity, visitors will discover the museum and the stories behind the paintings. Once participants complete the Pokémon Adventure activity, they can hand in their completed leaflet for a special Pikachu x Van Gogh Museum promo card (subject to availability). The Pokémon Adventure leaflet is available in both Dutch and English.

Pokémon x Van Gogh online learning material – Van Gogh at School (Upper primary lower secondary education level)
Vincent greatly admired everything related to Japan, and Japanese prints taught him to look at the world differently. The use of flat planes of strong colours, everyday subjects and attention for detail in nature spoke to him. Using the Pokémon x Van Gogh collaboration as a starting point, pupils will learn about the connection between Van Gogh and Japan, and about how inspiration can work in two directions. The teaching materials are available in both Dutch and English.

‘How to draw Pikachu’ video guide (Restaurant Rietveldgebouw 0)

A guided video activity will be available within the museum which teaches visitors how to draw the fan favourite Pokémon Pikachu and encourages them to try it for themselves.

‘Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum’ merchandise
The Pokémon Center online store will feature an exclusive range of ‘Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum’ merchandise featuring the art from the collaboration. Items available include a special Vincent Van Gogh inspired Pikachu Plush, Trading Card Game sleeves, Van Gogh inspired figures of Pikachu and Eevee, Poster Prints, a Jigsaw Puzzle and more. A special promotional ‘Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat’ trading card inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat’ will be available as a gift with purchase item with all Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum products. Products and promotional trading cards are available whilst stocks last. For the full ranges available please visit www.pokemoncenter.co.uk

The Van Gogh Museum Shop will also feature an exclusive range of Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum merchandise featuring art from the collaboration.

Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, Mathieu Galante commented ‘We are always looking for fantastic partners that we can create unique and joyful experiences with for Pokémon fans, and we have genuinely found that in working with the Van Gogh Museum. There is a strong link between the inspiration behind Pokémon and the inspiration behind some of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous work. With this collaboration we really hope that we can see children discovering and immersing themselves into the world of art through the incredible works of Van Gogh and Pokémon.’

For further information on the collaboration, please visit the Van Gogh Museum website.

 

Pokémon and Rinascente present a new exclusive takeover in the eternal city

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The Pokémon Company International is partnering with Rinascente for a new and exciting store takeover at their flagship location in Rome, until October 2nd 2023

 Pokémon’s latest immersive collaboration features a window takeover in the balconies of the store atrium, including a branded pop-up space in the exhibition area on floor -1 of Rinascente in Via del Tritone—just a few steps away from the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna in the heart of Rome.

The exciting back-to-school takeover that brings Pokémon to the Italian capital will surprise fans of all ages with a special tribute to the Eternal City.

Pokémon will be the focus of a full-store takeover—with installations in the seven store windows showcasing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), video games for the Nintendo Switch system, and toys, all visible along the Via del Tritone. Inside the store, the exhibition area—a 350-square-meter space located on floor -1 that’s dedicated to events, exhibitions, and designs—is hosting this unique installation. It’s Pokémon’s tribute to the Eternal City, with unique photo opportunities and a wide variety of Pokémon products available to browse and purchase. The latest Pokémon video games for the Nintendo Switch system and Pokémon TCG products are available, as well as the latest Pokémon toys, including the squeezable Pikachu and Gengar Squishmallows plush from Jazwares, distributed by ReiToys.

Italian streetwear designers Dolly Noire will feature their exclusive apparel adorned with Kanto-region Pokémon, including T-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. Back to School (Seven), Mattel Mega Construx, mugs (Abysse), 3D backpacks (CyP), and kids’ apparel and accessories (Difuzed) will also be available.

There’s lots more for Pokémon Trainers to enjoy at the flagship store, with tables where you can challenge your friends to Pokémon Trading Card Game matches and Nintendo Switch systems available to play the latest Pokémon video games—Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, launched in November 2022.

The space will also include a special celebration of the magnificent 60-meter stretch of the ancient aqueduct featured in the exhibition area, with a 3D sculpture of the arches and a surprising underwater Pokémon life scenery.

Pokémon fans will also be treated to a special visit from Pikachu, who will be making an appearance at the store takeover on  September 9-10, 2023. Pikachu will be available for a meet and greet with guests, and will pay special homage to the city—when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Mathieu Galante, Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, commented: “Pokémon is delighted to continue our partnership with Rinascente, with this latest immersive experience at its prestigious flagship store in Rome. There are a great many fans of Pokémon in Italy, and to be able to engage with them through such fun and exciting experiences is something we will always strive for.”

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