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For those that don't know, Diamond is pretty much the monopoly distributor into the network of comics stores across the United States and in many parts of the world (like Canada). DST is their in-house production company, up until now specializing in toys under $50 (often closer to $10-30 per).
Possible implications? Further diversifying of physical product that they produce themselves into the higher end marketplace. It's much tougher to move (ship/transport) expensive statues at retail. BUT there is a hard-core devoted adult collectors base with money to burn, and the per unit profit is much higher given the amount of physical comics they need to move to make the same profit on a single statue. Particularly as reader/collectors of floppy comics age-out and the younger readers are essentially headed to digital and physical comics that by pass the Direct Market Comic Shop.
These statues are also showing up in many surprising places outside of the comic show as well. Galleries/Shops that specialize in this kind of high end pop culture statues/collectibles of Star Wars and Superheroes etc seem to be popping up as mainstream culture (Thanks to cinema and TV, video games and animation) has thoroughly embraced the once niche realms. It is ironic, but there is likely a small growing class of Diamond retail account that doesn't purchase comics at all.
I think it is also a fact that the "Toy" market, at least in these venues is dominated entirely by Adult Collectors now, with income ranging from the casual purchase (their minimates figures), now up to statues priced at thousands of dollars.
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