SNEAK PEEK
- Pudgy Penguins has entered into a significant collaboration with Walmart, marking its expansion into the physical toy market.
- The brand has a strong background in digital collectibles, having achieved $400M in transactions.
- Pudgy Penguins received a $9 million investment aimed at expanding the global reach of its unique intellectual property.
Pudgy Penguins has inked a noteworthy collaboration with Walmart. Consequently, Pudgy Toys will be gracing the shelves across 2,000 Walmart stores nationwide. With a history of impressive sales in digital collectibles, this brand has demonstrated its potential by raking in a whopping $400M in transactions.
On this day, Web3 enters a Brave New World.
Pudgy Toys, with Pudgy World, are now available in 2,000 Walmarts in the USA. pic.twitter.com/UP8npUxCr3
— Pudgy Penguins (@pudgypenguins) September 26, 2023
However, this isn’t Pudgy Penguins’ debut in the world of tangible toys. The brand first ventured into the physical toy market in May 2023 via Amazon. Impressively, within a mere two days, they garnered sales surpassing 20,000 individual toys, totaling $500,000. Additionally, this success was accompanied by a significant investment of $9 million during the same month. This injection of funds, led by early-stage investors, aimed to amplify the global reach of Pudgy Penguins’ unique intellectual property.
We’re thrilled to release the community-licensed, first-edition Pudgy Toys to the world.
Purchase Pudgy Toys here and adopt your Forever Pudgy Penguin now: https://t.co/WODTtasf3d pic.twitter.com/F2h77P3Eid
— Pudgy Penguins (@pudgypenguins) May 18, 2023
The visionary behind this growing empire, Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, emphasized how the brand stands out in the evolving toy landscape. He noted, “Marrying unique digital experiences with blockchain marvels like Ethereum and zkSync has set Pudgy Penguins apart.” Additionally, he acknowledged the tremendous support of Walmart in amplifying its community engagement and brand development efforts. It’s worth mentioning that Netz saw the potential in Pudgy Penguins early on, securing the collection for 750 ETH, roughly translating to $2.5 million, in April 2022.
The toys slated for Walmart shelves aren’t your typical plushies. Besides their charming design, they serve as gateways to the enchanting digital Pudgy World. Powered by the cutting-edge zkSync Era blockchain, this interactive digital haven lets users dive into games and personalize their Forever Pudgy avatars. Moreover, each toy carries its unique identity. By simply scanning a QR code, users can unveil special attributes for their digital counterparts.
A distinctive touch to these toys is the infusion of exclusive characteristics from famed NFT brands, such as Meebits and DeGods. Hence, every toy purchase at Walmart not only delights a child but also ensures that respective NFT proprietors earn their due royalties.
Brittany Smith, vice president of merchandising – toys at Walmart U.S., expressed her excitement about the alliance. She observed, “Pudgy Penguins has skillfully blended the physical and digital play realms for kids. Moreover, their affordability aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering everyday low prices.”
With strategic partnerships with titans like Amazon and Walmart, Netz and his team are introducing the allure of NFTs and blockchain technology to the broader public. The Pudgy Penguins crew proudly claims their toys are the inaugural mass-market product steered directly by community feedback.
To sweeten the deal for shoppers, Walmart’s inventory will include 26 Pudgy Toys, featuring exclusive Ice Chrome figures and the enticing mystery Blind Boxes. Additionally, some lucky shoppers might stumble upon a golden ticket, unlocking unique digital features in the Pudgy World.
