Pokémon TCG distribution is cartel
In the UK, one company called Asmodee holds a complete monopoly on the distribution of Pokémon TCG cards.
They have aggressively brought all European competitors and are now using that position to choke supply and force prices up. We used to have a second distributor in the UK they brought in 2010 but only rebranded and absorbed in 2018 (right before the supply "issues" started)
It's not a accident that you find it impossible to find cards or that card shops are charging ten times RRP. If it's a small shop they are being forced to buy from an alternative second hand distributor such as Blackfire (which Asmodee also owns).
In essence, they are "selling" all products to a second distributor instead of to shops. Now the cards are technically second hand, they can double the price.
Then by not selling, or massively restricting stock, to local shops, those shops have no choice but to pay double for the same thing. Thus creating a massive artificial price increase for everyone else.
I would highly encourage everyone to report them for this behaviour since it's highly: https://www.gov.uk/cartels-price-fixing/report-anticompetitive-activity
Here are their trading details: Asmodee UK is a trading name of Esdevium Games Limited. Registered in England and Wales: 3055732 VAT No. GB 329 8008 46. Registered Office: Hogmoor House, Templars Way, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 9GQ
Since this is unlikely to change anything quickly, I would like to get in contact with as many small businesses having the same issue with Asmodee as possible. If they can organise to fix prices and restrict access then we can also organise to take advantage of higher buying power to force prices down.
They are also doing the same thing with Magic: the gathering and One-piece incase you are wondering why it's getting so hard to find these cards as well.