London to host first permanent Pokémon store

The Pokémon Company announced that a permanent physical store will open in London by 2029. It will be the first of several stores planned outside Asia and will not be called a “Pokémon Center,” the name used in Japan. The store will offer exclusive merchandise and one‑of‑a‑kind experiences for trainers of all ages.

The idea follows a previous overseas location: a Pokémon Center opened in New York from 2001 to 2005 before becoming the Nintendo New York store. London has hosted the Pokémon European International Championships at the Excel Center, where a pop‑up Pokémon Center sold out weeks in advance. The UK already has a dedicated Pokémon Center website and fulfillment center, which makes it a logical first location for a permanent store.