Both Hasbro and Mattel are shipping unpunched cards to brick and mortar establishments. Cory from the Star Wars The Vintage Collection Group found the punch tabs dangling from Hasbro's Marvel Retro Collection figures at Target. I personally found 2021 Masters of the Universe figures hanging from the pegs of my local Target in the exact same state with the once inserted punch tab dangling. Clearly, brick and mortar stores are not opposed to unpunched cards.
Unpunched cards are considered the "highest" state for both vintage Kenner Star Wars cards and Vintage Collection cards. For most of TVC 1.0, the cards were shipped unpunched. Since TVC 2.0's launch, the cards have been punched. Since clearly both the manufacturing side and the retail side are open to unpunched cards, it's time to bring them back to The Vintage Collection. Whether or not you personally care about such things, it's good for the overall health of the line. At no additional cost, it gives the collectors, who do care about such things, an additional way to collect. I personally end up buying more when there are unpunched cards for the simple reason that I can't bring myself to open them.
Also, it would make for great retail shelf shippers (instead of stocking the figures on the pegs). Shelf shippers are another great vintage Kenner call back.