1. Insane Demand & Supply Strain
New releases (like Prismatic Evolutions, Journey Together, Destined Rivals) are selling out extremely quickly; pre‑orders vanish, shelves often empty.
The Pokémon Company has ramped up printing (from a few billion cards yearly to ~10‑12 billion by 2024) to try to meet demand. But scarcity persists for high‑demand sets.
2. Sealed Products Become Hot Assets
Booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes, sealed first‑print and special edition sets are not just for opening — they’re being treated like investments.
Some sets are appreciating at double‑digit compound annual growth rates.
3. Vintage & Nostalgia Are Power Players
Cards from older sets (EX‑era, Base Set first‑edition, Gold Star, etc.) are seeing renewed interest. Nostalgia is pushing demand (and price) for older, rarer cards! (Did you hear about the Kabuto Collector?)
Collectors are also heavily favoring alternate art, full art, gold, and other “premium” variants.
4. Speculation, Resellers & Price Inflation
Investors (and scalpers) buy up inventory, sometimes entire pre‑orders or restocks, hoping to resell at premium. This contributes to scarcity and sharp price spikes.
Some cards have seen extreme price increases in short periods. For example, over a few months certain Sword & Shield cards, Crown Zenith singles, etc., nearly doubled (Lapras GG05, Pikachu [Secret], etc.)
5. Grading, Authentication & Digital Marketplaces Grow in Importance
Graded cards (PSA, BGS, etc.) carry huge premiums; high grade = higher demand.
AI and tech tools to assist grading/authentication are becoming more talked about.
Online marketplaces & live sales (Whatnot, specialized TCG sites) are increasingly where collectors and investors transact. Speed, seller verification, condition, exclusivity matter.