Adidas’ New Pokémon Collection Is Here — and Already Selling Out

Adidas and The Pokémon Company have joined forces for a remarkable collaboration, commemorating the franchise’s monumental 30th anniversary with an extensive lineup of apparel inspired by iconic pocket monsters. Predictably, this massive wave of demand has immediately attracted opportunistic resellers looking to capitalize on the hype. This surge comes at an interesting time, following a period of cooling demand for speculative Pokémon Trading Card Game products due to robust inventory supplies.

Adidas drops Pokémon-inspired collection

Comprising over 60 distinct pieces, the Adidas Pokémon range has proven to be an overwhelming hit with enthusiasts. The vast roster of characters has allowed the design team to experiment with a diverse spectrum of palettes and aesthetics. Supporters who gravitate toward vibrant tones can discover eye-catching Charizard and Pikachu apparel dominated by energetic yellows and oranges, while those leaning toward more muted or shadowy tones will likely appreciate the Haunter and Rayquaza selections.

Ultimately, the lineup proves exceptionally versatile. Beyond standard hoodies, t-shirts, and sweatpants, the standout feature is undoubtedly the footwear selection. The drop introduces Pokémon makeovers to timeless Adidas staples like the Samba, Superstar 2, and Spezial silhouettes. Regardless of personal style or generation of fandom, the collaboration delivers options tailored to varied tastes.

Securing special-edition merchandise is arguably the ultimate way to mark the brand’s milestone anniversary, but completing a purchase has proven remarkably difficult. A significant portion of the catalog is already sold out, largely driven by automated bots and scalpers. A brief look at secondary marketplaces reveals that the most sought-after apparel is currently trading at nearly double its original retail value.

The standout item appears to be the exclusive Adidas Pokémon jacket, which debuted at a retail price of $280 on the brand’s official store before vanishing from inventory. Multiple listings on eBay indicate that these jackets have successfully resold for close to $500.

While various retailers implement stringent anti-bot protocols to protect consumers, Adidas opted against deploying aggressive preventive measures for this launch. Allowing shoppers to add up to 15 units of the exact same article to a single shopping cart inadvertently streamlined the process for opportunistic resellers.

Source: Polygon