These Hong Kong Pokemon card store owners want more people actually playing the game
From offering tutorials to holding competitions, some stores are trying to boost Pokemon card playing besides just collecting and investing
Collecting Pokemon cards has evolved from a hobby to a form of high-return investment, with several authentication companies offering grading services to protect and safeguard the value of these collectibles, such as PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), whose grading system dates back some 26 years.
While there are no official statistics on the number of stores selling Pokemon cards in Hong Kong, those in the business speak of a spike in demand for rare, vintage and high-grade cards in recent months that has sparked a proliferation of these outlets. Collectors and players can now easily find and buy cards in areas such as Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong.