WHAT'S POP'N V36
Issue 36
✨ Hobby Newsletter – Edition 36 ✨
While this issue lands in your inbox, much of the Solarpop team is deep in the action at Comic Con Cape Town - bringing our brands to life, connecting with fans, and turning play into something truly unforgettable. From Pokémon activations to immersive board game experiences, we’re all in on one of the biggest moments on the calendar - and we can’t wait to unpack it all in our Marketing Corner.
Back at base, it’s been a big few weeks. Both our Johannesburg and Cape Town showrooms have officially wrapped, giving our partners fresh, hands-on access to the full Solarpop universe. Our Cape Town Retailer Conference also took place on day one of Comic Con, setting the stage for what’s ahead and aligning with partners right at the heart of the action.
On the product front, we’re pleased to confirm that the delayed Magic: The Gathering release has now landed. Global supply disruptions from Wizards of the Coast created some unexpected delays, but stock is now flowing and we appreciate your patience as we worked through it.
It’s a shorter check-in from us this week - but behind the scenes (and on the Comic Con floor), there’s a whole lot happening.
TOP OF THE POPS
Listen to this month’s track and set the mood for boardgame night!
Now Playing: On the Road
This week we’re celebrating Catan – On the Road with a track to match - On the Road.
A country-style ditty that rolls as smoothly as a well-laid trade route, it captures the spirit of movement, discovery, and the open horizon. It’s all about packing up, heading out, and seeing where the road takes you - much like this latest Catan adventure.
Press play, hit the road, and let the journey begin 🚐🌾
PRE-ORDERS EXPIRING
Final call - these titles are about to close. Lock them in before they’re gone!
|
|
|
|
Retail partners: Don’t miss out - these pre-orders are closing fast:
View Closing Pre-OrdersPlayers & collectors: Chat to your Friendly Local Game Store and lock in your copy before it’s too late!
NEW PRE-ORDERS
Fresh drops have landed - plan ahead and get your shelves ready!
|
|
|
|
Retail partners: Fresh opportunities just opened up - explore the full range here:
VIEW NEW PRE-ORDERSPlayers & collectors: Get ahead of the drop and secure your copy with your Friendly Local Game Store!
PROMOTIONS
Fresh deals and seasonal picks to keep the table buzzing.
FALL INTO FUN 🍂
As the season shifts, so do the moments that matter - and there’s no better time to fall into fun. Whether it’s autumn evenings around the table or spontaneous bursts of play, this promotion is all about diving headfirst into the games that bring people together.
From family favourites to quick-play hits and party starters, we’re stacking the shelves with reasons to lean in, gather round, and let the fun take over.
Running from 1 May to 28 May, don’t just watch the season change - fall right into it.
ON CLEARANCE
Big deals, limited quantities - once they’re gone, they’re gone!
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
NEW ARRIVALS
Discover what just landed on local shelves!
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
MARKETING CORNER
Campaign highlights and community moments from across the Solarpop universe.
Comic Con Cape Town - Step Into the Solarpop World!
Comic Con Cape Town isn’t just another event for us this year - it’s a full-scale showcase of what it means to Bring Happiness Home, built out across multiple immersive Solarpop spaces designed to stop, engage, and play.
Right at the entrance foyer, we’ve created a high-energy gateway into our world. The Poké-Party CCCt Edition is in full swing - a vibrant, family-first experience where new Trainers can jump into Pokémon Trading Card Game Learn-to-Play sessions, grab a Pikachu hat, get face painted, and take their first steps into the Pokémon universe. It’s colourful, accessible, and constantly buzzing - exactly what a first touchpoint should be.
Next door, we shift gears into strategy and storytelling with our Catan showcase. Here, the world of Catan is brought to life through guided experiences, with characters like the Pirate, Knight, and Farmer stepping in to walk players through the base game and its expansions. It’s not just about playing - it’s about understanding the journey, the depth, and why Catan continues to lead the category.
And then, when the energy peaks, we invite people to step into something more familiar - our Board Game Home. This space is designed to feel like exactly that: home. A lounge to relax, a dining table to gather around, and a bar where the newly launched Spot It! South Africa takes centre stage. It’s casual, it’s social, and it shows how our games live beyond shelves - in real moments, with real people.
But the experience doesn’t stay in one place.
Our Game On The Go! team is roaming the entire convention floor - bringing fast, fun, travel-friendly play directly to attendees wherever they are. These bite-sized game moments spark instant connection, turning queues, corridors, and quiet corners into spontaneous play zones.
And here’s where it all comes together - the Bingo Challenge. Grab your Bingo Card, jump into games across our spaces, track down the Game On The Go! team, and start ticking off your grid. Complete a Bingo and you’re in the running for our daily board game prize draw - with even bigger bragging rights for those who go all the way.
Across all spaces, the focus is simple: remove barriers, invite play, and let the products speak for themselves. Whether it’s a child learning their first game, a family reconnecting around a table, or friends jumping into something fast and fun - this is Solarpop in its natural habitat.
More than a presence, this is a statement. And Comic Con is just the beginning.
 |  |  |
— Solarpop Marketing Team