The Pokémon Company has announced that a permanent Pokémon store will open in London in 2029, marking its first retail location outside Asia. The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 21, and confirms that additional stores are planned worldwide.
First Permanent Store Outside Asia
While the UK has hosted several limited-time pop-up stores over the years, often drawing large crowds, it has never had a permanent Pokémon store. This new London location will be the first Pokémon shop outside Asia, with the majority of existing stores located in Japan. The announcement did not specify where in London the store will open, though past pop-ups have been held at ExCeL London for the Pokémon World Championships and at the Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush.
Exclusive Merchandise and Experiences
According to the announcement, the store will offer 'a variety of exclusive merchandise and one-of-a-kind experiences for Trainers of all ages'. Gaku Susai, chief product and experience officer at The Pokémon Company, said: 'We are always exploring new opportunities that help us create unique and memorable experiences for our fans. This new London store will give visitors the chance to step into the world of Pokémon, whether they're discovering the brand for the first time or have been Trainers for years.'
Susai added: 'We hope it becomes a place where everyone can come together, feel like part of a community and enjoy the magic of Pokémon in a whole new way.' The announcement promised more information about additional stores outside the region in the future.
Awaiting Further Details
It remains unclear whether the London store will be a smaller variant or comparable to the larger Pokémon Centers in Tokyo, Japan. Given the popularity of previous pop-up shops, where reservations were mandatory, expectations lean toward a larger format. In the meantime, Pokémon Winds and Waves is scheduled to launch next year on the Nintendo Switch 2.
