Trading cards are making a comeback - and not just for kids. Big-box retailers are stocking up on everything from Pokémon to NFL stars to Taylor Swift cards, expecting them to be one of this year’s hottest gift categories, according to CNBC. Target told CNBC that new releases will drop nearly every week through the holidays, with sales already up 70% this year and revenue on track to top $1 billion. Across the industry, strategic card sales - like Pokémon and collectible games - are up over 100-percent ...

Retail giants Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) are riding a massive boom in collectible trading cards, with Target projecting more than $1 billion in annual sales from the category.CNBC reports that analysts say the surge could keep the retailers ahead in the competitive holiday season.Sales of trading cards featuring Pokémon, athletes, and celebrities have jumped sharply in 2025, becoming one of the hottest toy categories. Target says trading card revenue has soared about 70% this ...

Core Insights - The trading card market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased consumer interest across various demographics, including adults and younger generations [2][5][10] Market Trends - Trading cards, including those from NFL, Pokémon, and pop culture, are among the hottest toy categories this year, with retailers preparing for high demand during the holiday season [2][3] - Strategic trading card sales have surged by 103% year-to-date through August, while non-strategic card sales have increased by 48% [3][5] Retail Performance - Target's trading card sales have risen nearly 70% year-to-date, with annual revenue expected to exceed $1 billion [4][10] - Walmart Marketplace reported a 200% increase in trading card sales from February 2024 to June 2025, with Pokémon sales growing over tenfold year-over-year [4] Consumer Behavior - Millennials and Gen Z are key drivers of growth in the trading card market, with many adults purchasing cards as a nostalgic luxury [5][6] - Approximately 19% of adults have bought Pokémon cards for themselves in the past six months, indicating a trend of self-purchase rather than gifting [7] Investment Potential - Trading cards are increasingly viewed as alternative investments, with Pokémon cards delivering a cumulative return of 3,821% since 2004 [6] - The trading card market is characterized by consistent sales throughout the year, making it less seasonal compared to other toy categories [9] Future Outlook - Major retailers are focusing on long-term growth strategies, including exclusive sets and targeting a more diverse consumer base [16] - The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to boost soccer trading card sales, with increased interest in global stars [17]

GameStop TodayGMEGameStop$26.04 +0.16 (+0.62%) 52-Week Range$19.48▼$35.81P/E Ratio35.67Price Target$13.50Add to WatchlistThe carnival has returned to GameStop Inc. NYSE: GME in 2025 as the stock regained its meme form. As usual, steep drawdowns followed outrageous rallies, and the stock ticker frequently trended on social media. But the peaks and valleys haven’t been as drastic, and the two significant uptrends this year seem to have diametric catalysts.Get GameStop alerts:What’s behind this sudden revival ...

Platform Overview - Emporium offers a user-friendly experience for trading tokenized Pokémon cards, distinguishing itself from platforms with complex gacha systems [1] - The platform allows users to pull cards, ship them physically, or sell them back at 85% of the market value [1] Getting Started - Users can sign up on Emporium using their email, Google account, or X (formerly Twitter) handle [2] - Pulls are purchased using USDC on the Solana blockchain, requiring users to bridge funds and have SOL for transaction fees in a Phantom wallet [2] Trading Mechanics - Before purchasing, users can view the pull price (e.g., $60), expected average value (e.g., ~$65), and buyback rate (85%) [3] - Users can sell cards back to the platform for 85% of their value in USDC; for example, a $100 card can be sold back for $85 [3] - Users can choose to keep cards and manage them on the "My Cards" page [4] Shipping and Fees - Users can ship cards for a flat fee of $25 for up to 10 cards, with delivery in 3-5 business days [5] - Optional shipping insurance is available for $4.99 [5] Potential Upsides - The platform's points system may indicate future airdrops [6] - Emporium's ease of use makes it a good starting point for exploring tokenized card platforms [6]

Market Trends - Pokémon cards are being used as alternative investments [1] - The first edition base set Holo Charizard is a valuable collectible [1] Investment Opportunities - A mint condition first edition Holo Charizard sold for $420 thousand [1] - This sale made it the third most expensive playable card [1]

NFT Market - NFTs tied to Pokémon cards are experiencing a resurgence in interest [1] - The practical limitations of using these NFTs as on-chain collateral are being considered [1]

Core Insights - The retro video game collecting market, which saw significant growth during the pandemic, is now experiencing a downturn, leading to challenges for sellers in moving inventory [1][2] - The market is described as a "bubble" that is deflating, as disposable income previously allocated to hobbies like retro game collecting is now constrained by economic pressures [2][4] - The decline in retro gaming is attributed to a shift in collector interest towards trading card games, particularly Pokémon cards, which are gaining popularity and investment interest [6][7] Market Dynamics - The pandemic led to increased disposable income for many consumers, which was funneled into retro game collecting as entertainment options were limited [2] - Sellers are facing difficulties, with reports of no bids on eBay and minimal interest on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, even at reduced prices [3] - The economic environment, characterized by mass layoffs, inflation, and stagnant wages, is impacting discretionary spending, making luxury items like vintage video games less justifiable for consumers [4] Consumer Behavior - While the retro gaming market is declining, other entertainment sectors such as concert tickets and theme park admissions are still performing well, indicating uneven economic impacts across consumer segments [5] - The shift in spending from retro games to trading card games reflects a broader change in collector interests and cultural trends within the hobbyist community [6][7]

Pokémon cards, a multi-billion dollar market, are moving onchain.Tokenization platforms offer 24/7 liquidity, instant resells, DeFi composability, and transparent provenance, transforming an inefficient market. Last month, these platforms saw $120M in trades.These are the top platforms gaining traction.👇~~ Analysis by @wmpeaster ~~@Courtyard_io, atop @0xPolygon for over two years, leads the tokenized card scene with its vaulted physically-backed NFTs approach. Pokémon cards dominate via its Vending Machine, ...

Market Trends - Onchain trading volume for tokenized Pokémon cards surpassed xStocks in August, indicating a growing interest in exotic Real World Assets (RWAs) [1] Trading Volume - August Pokémon TCG onchain trading volume reached $1245 million [1] - August xStocks DEX volume amounted to $746 million [1] - Tokenized Pokémon cards trading volume exceeded xStocks by approximately 668%, highlighting a significant difference in trading activity [1]