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Today Pokémon USA, Inc. announced a deal with Toys "R" Us that would put a lot of new Pokémon stuff in each and every store. Right now an area at the entrance of every "R Zone", the fancy new name for TRU's video game department, is going to feature a showcase area for all sorts of different Pokémon merchandse. This will include the games, the CCG, DVDs of the cartoon, and plenty of toys. If you live in NYC, you can visit the Times Square TRU to see an entire Pokémon boutique section set up in the store.
TRU is also promising more special retail events at stores nationwide through 2009, though I'm not sure they're the sort of events where you get free rare Pokémon for showing up. The first event runs through this week, ending on February 14, and a second event will take place later this spring. The big push for Pokémon is to highlight the impending release of Pokémon Platinum, the chaser to the multi-million selling Diamond and Pearl games, so I bet we get our second event around Platinum's March 22 launch date.
Check out the full release behind the cut if you want more (kinda vague) details. Usually seeing a branded area like this show up in TRU means you're dealing with a red-hot kid's property, and it won't be the first of its kind of show up at Toys "R" Us. However, the last one I saw was when I went into a store when I was about 14, so this should give you an idea of how absurdly long-lived Pokémon is as a kid's property.
POKÉMON ANNOUNCES EXPANDED RETAIL PRESENCE
AT TOYS"R"US STORES NATIONWIDE
New Branded Space Spotlights Pokémon Video Games, Trading Card Game, Toys, Animation, and More
Bellevue, WA -- February 9, 2009 - Today, Pokémon USA, Inc. announced that it has expanded its retail presence for Pokémon® in Toys"R"Us stores nationwide through 2009. Dedicated areas at the entrance of the "R" Zone video game departments now showcase a variety of Pokémon merchandise, including the top-selling video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), TV and movie DVDs, select TOMY products that are making their U.S. debut, and a full range of Pokémon toys from JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Starting in April, Toys"R"Us Times Square, the company's International Flagship store, will highlight the Pokémon brand in a dedicated boutique through the remainder of the year. Toys"R"Us stores nationwide will also host retail events throughout 2009.
The expanded Pokémon area within Toys"R"Us stores spotlights several popular Pokémon video game titles, leading up to one of the most anticipated titles of the year-Pokémon Platinum Version for the Nintendo DS™ system. The dedicated area also features a wide selection of TCG expansion sets for the Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl Series and the newest Pokémon TCG: Platinum expansion. Additionally, the section includes a broad assortment of DVDs, strategy guides, and other toys from JAKKS Pacific.
The dedicated area establishes Toys"R"Us as the premier destination for fans looking for a wide selection of Pokémon products. Toys"R"Us will host video game events featuring character distributions for Pokémon Diamond Version & Pokémon Pearl Version (each sold separately), with the first event taking place from February 8 - February 14. A second event will take place in the spring. Toys"R"Us will also be the first retailer in the U.S. to carry select Pokémon toys by TOMY.
"Our partnership with Toys"R"Us speaks volumes about the unwavering popularity of the Pokémon franchise," said Caryl Liebmann, director, retail development and promotions, Pokémon USA, Inc. "We're excited that Toys"R"Us is offering our fans this first-class retail destination."
Pokémon is one of the most successful children's franchises in history and the #1 collectible trading card game of all time. The record-breaking TCG boasts 374 percent sales growth in the U.S. alone since 2005 and is sold in more than 30 countries around the globe. The Pokémon video game series has sold more than 186 million units worldwide through September 2008, with many more sales expected with the release of this spring's Pokémon Platinum Version. Other successful extensions of the property include eleven seasons on U.S. television with the debut of the series' 12th season this spring. Pokémon films and DVDs continue to reach fans in amazing numbers, often ranking at the top of the box office in Japan.
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