Pokémon plans its first permanent store outside Asia, in London by 2029

The Pokémon Company International has announced a permanent Pokémon store for London, due to open by 2029. According to the company's media alert, relayed by IGN, Polygon and PocketMonsters.net, it will be the brand's first permanent shop outside Asia, and the first of several planned around the world.

What has been announced

The London store is pitched as a destination for fans of every age, with exclusive merchandise, "one-of-a-kind experiences" and, according to IGN, community spaces.

Gaku Susai, Chief Product and Experience Officer at The Pokémon Company International, presented it as a place where newcomers and long-time Trainers alike can step into the world of Pokémon and meet as a community.

What is still unknown

• The address has not been revealed, and the store has no name yet. IGN notes the announcement avoided the "Pokémon Center" label.
• There is no opening date beyond "by 2029".
• The announcement does not list what will be sold, so whether the shop will stock Pokémon TCG products, such as sealed sets or store exclusives, is not stated.
• The other cities in the planned rollout have not been named.

Pokémon stores today

Outside Japan, permanent Pokémon Centers already operate in Singapore and Taiwan, and Polygon reports one is due in Thailand by the end of the year. In the West, a permanent Pokémon store opened in New York in 2001 and closed in 2005, when the space became Nintendo New York.

London already hosts the Pokémon European International Championships at ExCeL, where a pop-up Pokémon Center sells out quickly each year, according to IGN.

What it means for European collectors

• For now, a permanent official Pokémon shop in Europe is a 2029 plan, not an opening date.
• Until then, the official way to buy in Europe remains the Pokémon Center online store and event pop-ups.
• TCGKing will follow the announcements on the address, the name and the product range.