GameStop CEO says their focus is no longer on games. Trading cards like Pokemon are the future now
GameStop is all in on trading cards. It’s going to be less about gaming, more about collectibles.
At the 2025 annual shareholder meeting, CEO Ryan Cohen stated GameStop is shifting its focus away from traditional video games and leaning more into trading cards as a main part of the business. Cohen described this move as a natural extension of GameStop’s legacy. It’s not a sudden move into Pokémon cards, but rather a strategic realignment of priority.
GameStop finds profit in trading cards, not games
According to Ryan Cohen, trading cards (whether it's Pokémon, sports cards, or other collectibles) fit right into GameStop’s current trade-in system. They’re physical items with solid profit potential, which makes them a natural match for the company’s retail model. That said, GameStop’s hands-on approach definitely has its weird moments, like that recent incident where a store stapled receipts right onto Switch 2 boxes.
Source: PokemonCenter
It feels like Pokémon cards are making a comeback, but the truth is, they never really left. Sure, there’s been a surge of new interest lately, especially since Pokémon TCG Pocket blew up at the end of last year, but that’s just how it goes with Pokémon, there’s always a new wave of fans jumping in.
Even , some of them are worth serious money. So it’s no surprise GameStop sees a golden opportunity here, they’re betting big on a trend that’s proven it can stand the test of time.
At the June 12 shareholder meeting, Cohen pointed out that GameStop finally turned a profit in Q1 2025, the first time that’s come around since 2019. The comeback didn’t happen by chance, though. It came from cutting costs wherever possible, clearing out extra inventory, downsizing staff, shutting down underperforming stores, and focusing on core business fundamentals.
