The Pokémon Company International is bringing a permanent, physical Pokémon store to London, and it will be the brand’s first physical retail space outside of Asia. The company announced the plan on Pokemon.com on Wednesday, saying the London store is currently scheduled to open by 2029.
According to the announcement, the shop will carry a variety of exclusive merchandise and offer one-of-a-kind experiences for Trainers of all ages. The Pokémon Company has not named a location in the city yet, and it has not shared a size, an opening month or a list of what will be sold there.
The first of several
London is only the start. The Pokémon Company says the store will be the first of several permanent Pokémon stores planned to launch outside of Asia, though it did not say where the others will go or when. More details are promised later.
Gaku Susai, chief product and experience officer at The Pokémon Company International, framed the store as a community space as much as a shop.
“We are always exploring new opportunities that help us create unique and memorable experiences for our fans,” Susai said. “This new London store will give visitors the chance to step into the world of Pokémon, whether they’re discovering the brand for the first time or have been Trainers for years. We hope it becomes a place where everyone can come together, feel like part of a community and enjoy the magic of Pokémon in a whole new way.”
Why it matters
Until now, permanent Pokémon retail has stayed in Asia. A dedicated London storefront, with exclusives that would not be sold elsewhere, gives UK and European collectors a physical destination of their own, and the promise of more stores outside Asia hints that it may not be the last.
With an opening targeted by 2029, the wait is a long one. In the meantime, the brand keeps adjusting its digital side, including the recent change that slows Pokémon TCG Pocket booster releases to about every six weeks.
