Walmart, the world’s biggest retail chain, has significantly increased the availability of the Pudgy Penguins NFT-based Pudgy Toys series to a wider audience, now selling them in over 3,100 stores throughout the United States, marking a boost from the initial 2,000 stores. With a growth strategy in place, Walmart is introducing new Pudgy Toys items to its shelves, including collectibles and action figures, with prices ranging from $2.99 to $11.97.
Expansion Reflects Pudgy Penguins’ Popularity
Originally launched in September, the Pudgy Toys line has seen a positive response, leading to its expansion. Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, has expressed that the increase in store presence and the release of special toy editions reinforce the strong appeal of the Pudgy Penguin characters.
Moreover, these toys incorporate interactive features, as each is equipped with a QR code that provides access to the Pudgy World platform. This digital space offers a social experience where users can create avatars, play games, and mingle within the community. Currently in beta, Pudgy World operates on the Ethereum Layer-2 zkSync Era network.
Pudgy Penguins’ Licensing and Sales Milestones
Pudgy Toys products draw their inspiration directly from Pudgy Penguins NFTs, and the NFT owners who participate in licensing agreements receive royalties via the OverpassIP platform, which is also in its beta phase. The Pudgy Toys series and the Pudgy World platform debuted in May of the previous year, aiming to merge the realms of blockchain technology with tangible toy products.
Apart from Walmart, the toys are also retailed on Amazon. PMI Kids’ World, a company known for producing toys for popular franchises like Fortnite and Among Us, manufactures the Pudgy Toys. Recently, there was a surge in the value of Pudgy Penguin NFTs, overtaking Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs in floor price, signaling a spike in market interest. In the grand scheme of NFT collections, Pudgy Penguins ranks twentieth in all-time sales volume, and after a community-led leadership overhaul in 2022, the collection continues to thrive in the digital collector’s space.