Pokémon Card Sales Face Thin Margins, Retailers Say
Madrid, Spain – Pokémon card retailers are struggling with razor-thin profit margins despite the ongoing popularity of the collectible card game, according too Fernando Iglesias, owner of Librería Baroja. A recent analysis reveals a gross commission of 16.67% on Pokémon envelope sales, a figure Iglesias argues is unsustainable for small businesses.
Typically, collectible card game retailers aim for margins between 20% and 40%, but many find their actual profits further diminished by expenses like Value Added Tax (VAT), Point of Sale (POS) commissions, shipping costs, and stock rotation. While large stores and chains can absorb thes costs thru bulk orders, smaller retailers and convenience stores face significant challenges.
“The Pokémon card business is not as profitable as it seems,” Iglesias stated, explaining that many retailers are forced to increase prices not out of greed, but to cover rising operational costs. These include increasing rents, utility bills, self-employment fees, and other tax obligations.
Retailers emphasize that adjusting prices is frequently enough a necessity to balance customer affordability with business viability in a highly competitive market. The situation mirrors pricing dynamics seen on platforms like Wallapop and CardMarket, where prices fluctuate significantly and individual card sales are common.
