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.