Pokémon Turns 30

The Japanese brand has become one of the most recognisable in the world, with its colourful creatures appearing in video games and on shop shelves across the globe. But perhaps most synonymous with the Pokémon phenomenon is its trading card game, which has been played, bought and sold between collectors for the last three decades. Wednesday marks the release of Pokémon's 30th anniversary range - a day one collector described as the brand's biggest day "in the last decade, if not more". Pokémon's popularity has exploded over the years, with some cards originally worth just a few pounds now selling for eye-watering amounts. Hall said a box that may have been worth £200 in the late 1990s would now sell for about £35,000. Pokémon, originally called Pocket Monsters, began as a game released for the Nintendo Gameboy in Japan in 1996. Millions of copies were sold worldwide and the name was eventually shortened to Pokémon. Following the success of the first games, a company called Media Factory released the Pokémon Trading Card Game in October that year. Like the game, the cards exploded in popularity. Since then, more than 85 billion cards have been produced, a world championship tournament established, and an ultra-rare card sold for $16.5m (£12m).

BBQ - What makes something collectable? How can a brand use this?

Pokemon

Honda Makes First Loss in 70 Years

 

Japanese car giant Honda made its first annual loss in 70 years as its investments in the electric vehicle (EV) market failed to pay off. Demand for EVs has not been as strong as the company forecast, with Honda reporting a total operating loss for the year ending March 2026 of ¥423bn ($2.68bn: £1.99bn.). The firm said it was scrapping some of its EV production targets and would source parts from China, where prices are lower, to keep costs down. It cited changes in US policy as adding to its losses, including tax incentives having been taken away for US consumers purchasing EVs, and the imposition of tariffs. US consumers could previously receive up to $7,500 (£5,500) in tax credits if they purchased a new EV, but this was scrapped by President Donald Trump in September 2025. His tariffs on imported cars and auto parts in 2025 also bruised profits at several major auto manufacturers, despite a reduction in the tariffs from 25% to 15%. Honda, which was first listed on the stock market in 1957, has grown over the years to become Japan's second largest car firm. Analysts said its huge size and legacy nature make it difficult to adapt quickly to fast dips and rises in EV demand. Honda said it was now going to focus on growing its successful motorcycle business, its financial services and its hybrid vehicle manufacturing.

BBQ - What is the biggest factor influencing car purchases?

Honda Loss

Pokémon Cards Rising Value

A series of smash-and-grab robberies have hit Pokémon card shops across the UK as the increasingly popular collectible cards soar in value. Celestial Collectables in Warrington, Cheshire is one of the latest stores to be targeted after robberies in Rugby, Bristol, Bournemouth, Peterborough and Nottingham among others in recent weeks. Pokémon cards have been collected and traded for 30 years but since Covid, they have attracted more attention online, with some of the rarest selling for huge sums. A recent auction by specialist auction house Stanley Gibbons Baldwins saw over £1.5m in "Pokémon assets" change hands. While most cards are not worth thousands of pounds, high-profile sales of the rarest items have driven both collector and investor interest. However, as the value grows so does the cards' appeal to criminals. Earlier this year, the YouTuber, wrestler and boxer Logan Paul auctioned an ultra-rare, high-quality Pikachu card for a record-shattering $16.5m (£12m).

BBQ - Why do Pokemon cards have such high values?

Pokemon Cards

Viral Crying Horse

A frowning horse plush has become a viral bestseller ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations for the year of the horse in China. The sad-looking soft toy was originally made in error after a worker sewed a smile on the horse upside down. Zhang Huoqing had expected to have to issue a refund to the customer who bought the toy, but after an image of it started circulating online the horse began selling out. The newspaper says the horse is about 20cm (7.8in) tall and costs 25 yuan (£2.62). It is red for good luck, with a golden collar and bell around its neck, and has the phrase "money comes quickly" embroidered on its body in golden letters. "A lot of customers like it, and they said it makes sense: that it suits the spirit of today's corporate slaves," Zhang said. "This crying horse really fits the reality of modern working people," she added. "People joked that the crying horse is how you look at work, while the smiling one is how you look after work." Zhang's factory has surged production to meet demand - including from other countries, according to media reports. Lunar New Year will be celebrated in February to usher in the year of the horse - one of 12 animals repeated in a cycle under the Chinese zodiac calendar.

Crying Horse

Labubu Craze

 

Fans of viral Labubu dolls have reacted angrily online after its maker pulled the toys from all UK stores following reports of customers fighting over them. The soft toys became a TikTok trend after being worn by celebrities like Rihanna and Dua Lipa. Now some retail experts are warning the stop on stock will only heighten demand. Labubu is a quirky monster character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, and popularised through a collaboration with toy store Pop Mart. Since gaining celebrity status they've gone viral as a fashion accessory. In the UK, prices can range from £13.50 to £50, with rare editions going for hundreds of pounds on resale sites such as Vinted and eBay. Pop Mart said it was working on a fairer system for when the toys return to its shelves. But fans on social media were not happy at the decision to pull the dolls. Collectible brands like Labubu use scarcity as "a powerful tool". Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and they are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved.

BBQ - How should Labubu better handle the distribution of the dolls?

Labubu Craze

Cowboy Couture

Cowboy Boot Store owner Pete Tooley credits recent albums by Taylor Swift and Beyonce with making country music and fashion more popular with a mainstream audience. Mr Tooley says he has seen a rise in the number of younger customers coming through the doors of his Division Street shop, which sells boots as well as Stetsons, belts and buckles. Mr Tooley, 63, first began selling cowboy boots as an online venture, but says customers from across the UK are making their way to Sheffield to get their hands on his goods. The footwear on offer is often handmade and comes from makers across the globe including Spain, Italy, the US and Mexico. Mr Tooley initially believed there would not be enough demand from people in Sheffield to warrant a physical store - but says time has proved him wrong. The store sells boots at music festivals around the UK and Mr Tooley says he has even kitted out some of the performers.

Cowboy Fashion Trend