Brand Development

Bentonville – – September 17, 2026 -- Traverse Group, a privately held retail group generating more than $1 billion in annual gross merchandise value, has launched ToyVerse, a new venture aimed at the global toy market. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company is already the largest toy supplier by dollar share into the Club channel worldwide, a position built largely on its management of the Pokémon trading card program.

Traverse Group leverages existing retail relationships with Walmart, Sam's Club, Target and Costco Global

Traverse Group, co-founded by JD Hayes and Clint Lazenby, has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for four consecutive years. Its existing infrastructure spans manufacturing, brand development, licensing, eCommerce, warehousing, fulfillment, logistics and supply chain execution, capabilities the company will now extend to its own toy brand rather than solely third-party programs.