Pudgy Penguins Walmart: NFTs and Web3 advance on retailer shelves

Popular NFT collection Pudgy Penguins has taken a “huge step forward,” marking its debut on Walmart shelves.

The Penguins’ trajectory is nothing short of spectacular. After all, after its acquisition in 2022 for a staggering sum of 750 Ethereum (approximately US$2.5 million), the brand saw its notoriety grow exponentially. Under the leadership of its new CEO, Luca Netz, the company has expanded beyond digital, placing its toys and collectibles in nearly 2,000 Walmart stores.

But what makes these toys truly unique is their interaction with the digital world. Each toy comes with a code that gives access to Pudgy World, a virtual environment powered by the zkSync Era Layer 2 blockchain. In this digital universe, users have the freedom to explore, play and customize their characters. And, the icing on the cake: each Pudgy Toy comes with a birth certificate and exclusive features accessible via QR code.

In his words, Netz highlighted Pudgy Penguins’ pioneering role in fusing digital experiences with blockchain technology. The brand’s entry into Walmart stores is not only an achievement for Pudgy Penguins, but also symbolizes the evolution of consumer engagement with brands in the digital age.

An extra special “welcome to Walmart…” 🐧 💙

Shop the new Walmart-exclusive @pudgypenguins here: https://t.co/9UnJ04O0Xf https://t.co/zhIj2GdegB

— Walmart (@Walmart) September 26, 2023

Over the years, the team behind Pudgy Penguins has worked hard promoting the brand and community through social media and blockchain technology. And now, with the Walmart partnership, they are ready to expand their reach even further. From Plush Buddies to Igloo Collectibles and Action Figures, Walmart customers will have a variety of 26 different toys to choose from.

Furthermore, Pudgy Penguins has already proven its value in the market, generating more than US$400 million in digital collectibles sales. And the brand didn’t stop there! It also stood out on Amazon, where it quickly became a trend and recorded strong sales shortly after its launch.

Brittany Smith, vice president of toy merchandising at Walmart US, recognizes the importance of the brand, highlighting that Pudgy Penguins is “bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds of play for kids in a truly engaging way.”

Finally, as part of its ongoing commitment to the community, each Penguin Toy sold at Walmart will guarantee royalties for the associated original NFT holder. Without a doubt, this is an exciting era for the intersection of NFTs, Web3 and traditional retail.

Disclaimer:

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