A Costco in Mississauga, Ontario descended into mayhem Friday morning when a Prismatic Evolutions card release turned violent, drawing police response and leaving merchandise scattered across the pavement.
About 30 to 40 shoppers had gathered around 6:45 a.m. for the drop when the situation spiraled. Video footage shared on Instagram by PokéStreetz captured the disorder: someone threw coffee onto a cart stacked with boxes, a vehicle struck the cart and sent card packs flying, then drove over them before accelerating out of the lot. Multiple police vehicles pursued the car as the crowd reacted to the scene.
The incident reflects escalating tension surrounding Pokémon card releases at big-box retailers. The high resale value of cards on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace has fueled demand and competition, turning product launches into flashpoints for conflict.
This was not an isolated episode. The same Costco location on Laird Drive had experienced chaotic scenes and massive, crowded queues during a previous card release just weeks earlier, according to local reporting. A St. Albert, Alberta Costco location saw a fight erupt in November, resulting in one man's arrest for assault. Earlier this week, a Canadian news outlet reported that three pallets of cards, totaling more than 500 boxes, were delivered to select Costco locations, with customers camping outside from dawn to secure purchases. At one store, inventory sold out within an hour.
The problem extends beyond Canada's borders. In February, a New York City card shop faced an armed robbery in which staff and customers were held at gunpoint. Nintendo took notice of the incident, contacting the store with a complaint about its name and prompting a rebrand.
As Pokémon card releases continue to drive foot traffic and competitive buying frenzies, retailers and local authorities face mounting pressure to manage crowds and prevent violence at product launches.
Author Emily Chen: "Collectible trading cards shouldn't require police escorts, but the profit margins on resale have weaponized what used to be a kids' hobby."
Comments