The ‘retro’ toys giving the British high street a much-needed boost
- British retailers are reporting a significant surge in demand for physical collectibles among young people, with squishy dumplings, trading cards, and K-Pop CDs being particularly popular.
- Music and entertainment retailer HMV saw a 12 per cent increase in visitor numbers during the first half of this year compared to 2025, anticipating 50 million store visits, largely due to dedicated pop culture merchandise zones.
- High street chain The Works is also benefiting from children spending pocket money on items like squishies and Pokémon cards, aligning with a “screen-free” strategy to reduce screen time.
- HMV’s managing director noted young people are returning to physical stores for shared experiences, and physical music formats, including vinyl and CDs, are experiencing a resurgence, partly driven by K-Pop albums.
- This trend indicates a broader sentiment shift towards physical ownership, even extending to “retro” technology, with eBay reporting a 164 per cent increase in global searches for the iPhone 5C.
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