The Pokémon Company to open first permanent store outside Asia in London by 2029
The Pokémon Company announced plans to open its first permanent retail store outside Asia in London by 2029. The location will feature exclusive merchandise and community spaces, marking a significant expansion beyond the brand's Asian footprint. While the exact site is unconfirmed, the move follows successful pop-up events in the UK. The company intends to launch additional international locations in the future, signaling a broader global retail strategy.
Key points
- The Pokémon Company International, the global rights holder for the franchise, announced the opening of a permanent store in London, the first of its kind outside Asia.
- The London location is scheduled to open by 2029 and will offer exclusive merchandise, community spaces, and unique experiences, though the specific street address remains unannounced.
- Gaku Susai, the company's chief product and experience officer, stated the store aims to create memorable experiences for both new fans and long-time Trainers.
- This expansion follows the success of recent pop-up stores in the UK, including one at the Natural History Museum in early 2026 and others at European Championships.
- The London store is the first in a planned series of permanent locations outside Asia, with details on future international sites to be revealed later.
- This marks a return to permanent Western retail, as the previous Pokémon Center in New York opened in 2001 but closed in 2005 to become a Nintendo flagship store.
The Pokémon Company has announced that it will open its first permanent retail store outside of Asia in London, with the location set to open by 2029. This development marks a significant shift in the brand's global retail strategy, moving beyond the temporary pop-up events that have previously served Western audiences. The company described the upcoming space as a destination for fans of all ages, featuring exclusive merchandise and community areas designed to immerse visitors in the Pokémon world.
Gaku Susai, the chief product and experience officer at The Pokémon Company International, emphasized the goal of creating unique experiences for both new and established fans. The announcement follows the popularity of recent temporary stores in the United Kingdom, including a pop-up at the Natural History Museum in early 2026 and installations at the Pokémon European International Championships. These events have demonstrated strong consumer demand for physical retail presence in the region.
The London store is intended to be the first of several permanent locations outside Asia, though specific details on future international sites remain under wraps. This expansion represents a return to a permanent Western retail footprint, a gap that has existed since the original Pokémon Center in New York closed in 2005 to make way for a Nintendo flagship store. The exact location of the new London store has not yet been disclosed, but the company aims to establish it as a central hub for the global Pokémon community.
Sources
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