Businesses worldwide cashing in on Pokemon Go

Paris

POKEMON Go has sent millions of people onto the streets in a worldwide hunt for virtual monsters - and from neighbourhood restaurants to multinational corporations, businesses smell a profit.

"It's going really well - this is the fourth time we've had to restock our Pokemon cuddly toys in two weeks," said salesman Corentin Flamand, surveying a row of mini Pikachus at the Micromania store in Paris's bustling Bastille area.

The chain has brought in mugs, baseball caps and a slew of other products to mark this year's 20th anniversary of the cult Japanese franchise, and is now hoping to profit from the surge of new fans created by the smartphone game.

Beyond products, companies see huge potential in the app's ability to attract crowds to places in a way that typical advertising does not, by tempting them with the prospect o…