Pudgy Penguins’ toy range is poised to roll out this week at Target, the second major US retailer to get behind the NFT-inspired brand. 

Target store shelves across North America will soon feature Pudgy Toys plush and figures, plus a line of Lil Pudgys collectibles, all of which are manufactured and distributed by master toy partner PMI Kids’ World. 

According to Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Schnetzler, the company has sold more than a million toys in the past year across all retail channels currently carrying the line. Schnetzler acquired the Web3-born brand from its university student co-founders for US$2.5 million in April 2022. 

Each Pudgy Penguin product comes packaged with QR codes that kids can redeem in the Pudgy World video game to unlock new collectibles and character traits for their in-game penguin avatars. Within the open-world game, users are able to play mini-games, build igloos and go on quests with their friends to acquire new loot. 

Pudgy Penguins first launched its toy line on Amazon last May, signing Walmart as its first nationwide retailer in September. The big-box chain initially committed to carrying the products in 2,000 storefronts, but the agreement was expanded earlier this year to cover more than 3,100 locations.