Pokemon Center Singapore cancels in-store launch after hundreds of fans swarm Jewel Changi Airport
Hundreds of fans were left empty-handed and sorely disappointed after the Pokemon Center Singapore cancelled the Prismatic Evolutions in-store launch just 30 minutes before schedule.
A Stomper shared with Stomp that several of his friends showed up to queue outside the store at Jewel Changi Airport.
He said people could be seen arriving as early as 2am, despite Pokemon Centre Singapore posting a notice on its Instagram page two days before the launch that overnight queueing is 'strictly not allowed'.
"I wasn't physically there but I had tons of friends there who kept updating us," said the Stomper.
The launch was scheduled for 10am but the hoard of fans proved to be too much for the store or security to handle.
The Stomper shared that about 600 people had shown up.
"At around 9.30am, things got really out of hand," he said.
"Jewel security, police and the Pokemon Centre staff could not handle the crowd.
"The centre later announced that they would be cancelling any in-order sales of the newly launched card game product and asked fans to purchase them online instead."
The Stomper shared a photo of an officer holding up a sign indicating that the store would not be selling any Prismatic Evolutions products due to 'safety reasons' and informing fans to purchase their items through their Shopee store from 10am.
However, the launched items were reportedly sold out within seconds of their launch on Shopee.
This led some to speculate that some people received a 'backend link' and were able to clear the stock before anyone else.
"Personally, I was looking at getting the Elite Trainer Box or Binder Bundle but both were sold out within seconds online," said the Stomper.
"Apparently, a lot of fans from Malaysia flew in and drover over for this but were all turned away."
The Stomper acknowledged that despite the disappointment, Pokemon Centre Singapore's decision to stop in-store sales was a good one.
"I think we have to give it to them to make the right call at this point of time as it was getting dangerous with the crowds like this, and some of the people on site were getting rowdy," he said.
"How they could have done better in anticipation of hot stock or high-demand items like these would be to have an online ballot system similar to Japan's Pokemon Centre.
"The fans can come and purchase at the allocated time slot.
"A simpler way would be just putting such hot items online for sale."
Stomp has reached out to Pokemon Centre Singapore for comment.
