The highly anticipated "Official Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Gym - Guangzhou" grandly opened on the 2nd floor of Grandview Mall in late August. Covering an area of approximately 1,800 square meters, this "Pokémon experience space" is not only the first official PTCG Gym in Guangzhou but also the largest of its kind in China.
PTCG is a competitive and collectible card game based on the "Pokémon" video game series. Since its launch in 1996, the Pokémon card game has gained worldwide popularity for its unique collection appeal, strategic battles, and rich social culture, becoming a cross-generational cultural symbol.
On the occasion of the new gym's opening, Grandview Mall is filled with Pokémon elements: a 7-meter-tall giant Pikachu inflatable stands outside the mall's southeast gate, a gate Poké Ball installation is set up outside the northeast gate, and the Sky Stage in the atrium on the first floor features another giant Sprigatito inflatable that is also 7 meters tall.
The "Official PTCG Gym - Guangzhou" has also launched opening events. From August 25, customers who make a single purchase of 99 yuan or more in the gym during the event period will receive a free scented tissue card. More exciting celebration activities will be introduced later.
Grandview Mall is situated in the core area of Tianhe District in Guangzhou. Besides being the first official PTCG Gym in the city, GZ's first LEGO Brand Flagship Store and the largest Gundam Base flagship store on the Chinese mainland are also located in this commercial complex.
As a driving force for Guangzhou's commerce, Grandview Mall has successfully attracted a significant number of regional and national "first stores" in recent years, including TOP TOY's first global flagship store, Qpokee's first Guangzhou store, WM South China Super Store 1 Flagship Store, Perfect Diary's first global "Perfect Moment" experience store, and Chef Fei's first Guangzhou store. These stores encompass high-end retail, popular dining, and immersive entertainment.
According to the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, from 2021 to 2024, the number of "first stores" in Guangzhou has achieved an average annual growth rate of 25%, with over 600 international brands rushing to establish a presence in the city.
Taking the Tianhe Road - Zhujiang New Town Business District as an example: from 2021 to the first 8 months of 2024, this district has attracted a total of 306 "first-store" brands, ranking first in Guangzhou in terms of the number of such stores introduced and accounting for 84.06% of the district's total.
Author | Ye Ziyi (intern), Liu Lingzhi
Photo | Grandview Mall
Editor | Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
