Connecting Directly With Collectors in a Retail-Driven Industry
By Alain Paquin · March 5, 2026 · 2 min read
The Need
For decades, trading card publishers have relied on retail distribution networks to reach collectors. While retail ensures global reach, it also creates a major limitation: publishers rarely know who their collectors are.
Retailers control:
customer data
purchase behavior insights
communication channels
Meanwhile, the trading card industry is evolving rapidly. The global market is estimated at about $13 billion in 2024 and projected to reach roughly $21 billion by 2034, driven by growing demand for collectibles and online trading platforms.
Another key shift: nearly 48% of trading card sales now occur through online platforms and marketplaces, demonstrating how digital engagement is becoming central to the collector experience.
Without direct access to collectors, publishers struggle to:
build brand loyalty
analyze collecting behavior
launch targeted promotions
promote new releases efficiently
The Strategy
Publishers can introduce digital trading cards linked to physical packs using the Holocards platform.
Each pack includes a digital redemption code that unlocks cards online.
This converts anonymous retail buyers into registered collectors within the publisher ecosystem.
Benefits
Direct relationship with collectors
Valuable behavioral data
Ability to launch targeted marketing campaigns
Increased collector retention
The Approach
Collectors redeem their physical card codes online and create an account to manage their digital collection.
The publisher gains:
a verified collector database
insights into collecting habits
a direct marketing channel
Collectors can:
track collections
trade cards
participate in exclusive releases
Retail remains important—but the publisher now owns the customer relationship.
ROI Impact
Even if only 10–15% of retail buyers register, publishers can create a valuable direct marketing channel that dramatically increases collector lifetime value.
Digital engagement also opens opportunities for:
premium releases
collector subscriptions
limited digital drops
Call to Action
Want to connect directly with your collectors?
Contact Holocards or book a demo:
https://holocards.io/contact
