Someone’s Figured Out How To Make Money Off Pokémon Go

So bidding up Nintendo shares by 50% was probably a bit of an overreaction to the Pokémon Go phenomenon, especially since the nostalgic fever for the game is all but over, at least if you go by Japanese smart-phone app downloads. Now, Nintendo may never make a dime off the thing, but one British mall owner thinks it’s struck gold with the idea of having people follow around Pokémon hunters with portable chargers so that they can continue to shop and play without interruption.

On Saturday three-strong recharging teams, armed with portable chargers, will tour Hammerson malls in the English cities of London and Leicester. The company already offers lockable recharging stations, but finds they are little used because shoppers are reluctant to quit their phones.

Given the wild success of Pokémon Go, the rechargers will focus attention on known “pokestops”–places where players congregate in the hope of finding Pokémon. Hammerson said there were 27 pokestops in its portfolio.

An Alternative Way to Monetize Pokémon Go [WSJ]
Nintendo Shares Drop as Pokemon Go Slips in Japan Rankings [Bloomberg]
Nintendo Faces More Pressure After Biggest Drop in 26 Years [Bloomberg]