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Australian Retailers Turn to Pokémon Cards as a Vital Strategy for Business Survival Amid Economic Challenges

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The surging price of Pokémon products has been no secret over the past few years, with some turning the trading cards into a lucrative side hustle.

As trading cards become increasingly popular commodities, more significant businesses are beginning to jump on the bandwagon.

George and Olivia Cozma started their multi-million-dollar streetwear business, Waves Never Die, in 2018, out of their home in Sydney’s west and have kept their finger on the pulse of upcoming trends ever since.
The Kozma family pose together inside one of the Waves Never Die warehouses.
The Kozma family pose together inside the Waves Never Die warehouse. (Supplied)
Waves Never Die began in a warehouse and has transformed into an entire shopping and dessert experience.
Waves Never Die began transformed into an entire shopping and dessert experience. (Supplied)

A couple initially ventured into the world of high-end sneakers and streetwear, offering sought-after items from brands like Supreme and Yeezy. They soon expanded their offerings to include cherished collectibles such as Labubus figures and even beauty products from Rhode, particularly as demand soared.

After successfully converting a Moorebank warehouse into a trendy streetwear boutique and dessert haven, they’re now setting their sights on Pokémon cards. George, one of the owners, notes that the interest in Pokémon is “going through the roof.”

“I’ve got men between the ages of 45 and 50 reaching out to me,” George shared. “One enthusiast even requested 50 packs of our bundles.”

He went on to explain, “These are individuals who once invested in watches but have now shifted to Pokémon because, surprisingly, these cards often hold more value than a Rolex.”

“You buy a Rolex, you’re gonna flip it maybe in a year and make [up to] five grand, while you buy 50 packs worth five grand, and you might pull out a card that’s worth a few grand.

“It’s got a gambling aspect, it’s like a thrill.”

George isn’t wrong. Earlier this year, professional wrestler and YouTuber Logan Paul broke a world record after selling his Pikachu Illustrator card for an eye-watering $US16.5 million ($23.3 million) in an auction, a card many consider the rarest of all time.
Logan Paul sells his Pokémon card card
Logan Paul sold the PSA 10 graded card for more than $23 million. (Goldin)
That is enough money to buy a harbourfront mansion in a luxury Sydney suburb, a garage full of supercars, or, in this instance, a piece of holographic cardboard cased in plastic and gold. 
Australian YouTuber Michael Anderson, better known as Unlisted Leaf, garnered more than 2.7 million subscribers and almost 1 billion views by opening Pokémon packs and even had the opportunity to reveal the value of a card that Paul opened in a pack live on stream in 2021.

“One of the most incredible cards I’ve ever filmed was the PSA 10 1st Edition Charizard, the same card that Logan Paul just sold for over $1 million,” he told Nine.com.au.

“I got to reveal the PSA 10 grade of that card with its owner Will years before that sale, the whole day was very surreal.”

Unlisted Leaf (middle) holding the PSA 10 1st Edition Logan Paul Charizard.
Unlisted Leaf (middle) holding the PSA 10 1st Edition Logan Paul Charizard. (Supplied)
The card went on to sell for more than $950,000.
The card went on to sell for more than $950,000. (Supplied)
Anderson told Nine.com.au he believes that COVID lockdowns and influencers such as Paul promoting the trading cards created the “perfect storm” that skyrocketed collecting to new heights.

“I’ve seen card shows go from small events with maybe 100 attendees to massive conventions with thousands of people walking through the doors,” he said.

That is the story for Trading Card Show Australia founders Drei and Blair, who say their event began in 2021 with 20 vendors at a small community hall in Sydney’s Inner West before it became a national show.
Trading Card Show Australia now attracts thousands of vendors and collectors.
Trading Card Show Australia now attracts thousands of vendors and collectors. (Supplied)
“Each show seems to be breaking records. We just did one in Brisbane with over 4500 people through the door,” Blair said.

They say that Pokémon cards make up “at least 80 per cent” of tables at their shows, and they have seen cards worth as much as $80,000 at the events.

“Retail stores will always have a place in the hobby, though, especially as a space for people just to go during the week, to buy cards and sell cards,” Blair said.

Despite being one of the few secondary retailers flipping Pokémon products, George said it is only a matter of time before his competitors hop on the trend.

Some secondary stores have begun selling sealed Pokemon products for well over their retail price.
Some secondary stores have begun selling sealed Pokemon products for well over their retail price. (Supplied)
Rare individuals cards can also fetch well over hundreds of dollars.
Rare cards can fetch well over hundreds of dollars. (Supplied)

“Everyone’s gonna start, I guarantee every secondary resell store in Australia will be selling Pokémon within the next two, three, four weeks, because no one is spending money on anything else.

“Pokémon sells out instantly, they’ve got to go to the secondary market.

“You just got to chase what’s selling at the moment,” George said.

“In these current times, it’s so tough, so we’re hustling harder than ever.”

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