Here are the details of the viral Labubu, part toy, part fashion
Labubu, the plush toy from China's Pop Mart is a social media darling, but the toothy little monsters are far from an overnight success. Having appeared a decade ago, Labubus may have finally cemented their place in the collectible toy market for years to come.
The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared with pointed ears and pointy teeth, in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015.
In 2019 Lung struck a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn't until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and NBA star Dillon Brooks. K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink began posting images of hers for her more than 100 million followers on Instagram and on TikTok, where Labubu pandemonium has broken out.
There are 1.4 million #Labubu TikTok posts and counting, videos of fans unboxing them, showing styles inspired by them, and of course, Labubu cosplay.
Fans have latched on to Labubu's mashup of play and fashion, making them accessories on handbags, backpacks and belts, or hanging them from car mirrors.
"The character has evolved into a collectible and style symbol, resonating with fans who connect with its quirky aesthetic and unique backstory," Emily Brough, Popmart's head of IP licensing in the Americas, said.
Labubu has been a bonanza for Pop Mart. Its revenue more than doubled in 2024 to 13.04 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), thanks in part to its elvish monster. Revenue from Pop Mart's plush toys soared more than 1,200% in 2024, nearly 22% of its overall revenue, according to the company's annual report.
Aside from their ability to pique the interest of toy aficionados and fashionistas, Labubu latched on to the blind box phenomenon, where the purchaser doesn't know exactly which version of the plush toy they'll get.
And Pop Mart made sure there is a Labubu for everyone, regardless of income. Most are priced in a wide rage between $20 and $300, with certain collaborations or limited editions priced higher, according to Brough.
Unlike many toys, Labubu devotees include a large number of adults. Buyers ages 18 and over drove a year-over-year increase of more than $800 million in the U.S. toy market in 2024, according to market research firm Circana. Adult shoppers, mostly female, bought the toys for themselves. In 2025's first quarter, toy sales for those ages 18 and over rose 12% from the prior-year period. At $1.8 billion, adults also accounted for the highest spending among all age groups in the quarter.
Like many retailers, Pop Mart is actively monitoring negotiations between the U.S. and just about every one of its trading partners as prices may be impacted. The situation with China is at the forefront, with President Donald Trump saying on Friday that the country "violated" an agreement with the United States on trade talks.
Right now Pop Mart, whose products are manufactured across Asia, says that it is continuously scaling production and expanding distribution across its online shop, retail stores and blind box vending machines to meet increasing demand.
Short supply has led to long lines at stores and at least one physical fight at a shopping center in the United Kingdom. Pop Mart said in an Instagram post late last month that it was temporarily suspending all in-store and blind box machine sales in the U.K. Peter Shipman, head of Europe, said in a Facebook post that the company is currently working on a new method to distribute toys to stores.
Resellers have become problematic and many Labubu fans are still willing to pay exorbitant price markups.
Looking to keep up with the overwhelming demand, Pop Mart says it's on track for 50 more retail locations in the U.S. by the end of the year. That'll give shoppers more chances to hunt for Labubus, as Pop Mart says it's planning multiple new Labubu releases tied to seasonal moments and holidays throughout the rest of the year.
Associated Press
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
From Labubus to Disney's Stitch: How UAE cafes create pop culture-inspired merch
From Labubu matcha to Stitch schoolbags, businesses across the UAE are capitalising on popular culture to boost their sales, with today's market often rewarding the fastest to ride trends. MEET Café, a coffee shop situated in Muwaileh, Sharjah, started selling Labubu-style matcha drinks around two weeks ago, and already saw a spike in sales of around 20 to 30 per cent, the founder of the café told Khaleej Times. The Labubu is a trendy plush toy that took the UAE by storm, with some customers lining up for hours to get their hands on them. Ahmed Al Harmoodi, founder of MEET Café, said that the drink became an instant hit, and the coffee shop started seeing more customers by the day. 'The Labubu drink helped attract a large number of new customers, in addition to increasing visits from existing customers who wanted to try the new product,' he said. The café even introduced a loyalty card that, once fully stamped, can get you a free Labubu toy. 'We believe that trend-based promotions can create temporary buzz, but they also present an opportunity to build long-term customer loyalty by offering a high-quality product and a distinctive experience,' Al Harmoodi said. Unexpected bestseller Maryam Hamad, an artist who sells merchandise with her own hand-drawn designs, didn't expect the Disney character Stitch from Lilo & Stitch to be her bestselling item. It all started with a request from one of her customers to create a Stitch-inspired hoodie, and after posting an image of the final product to her Instagram account, orders for other Stitch-inspired merchandise started to pour in. She said even the schoolbags that she usually sells, which have a drawing of a generic boy and girl character, didn't get many orders before her daughter asked for the Disney character to be drawn alongside the original design. Maryam then uploaded a picture of the final product and said that more and more orders started to pour through for the Stitch schoolbags. However, the work and effort put in takes up much of her time, so she sometimes has to opt out of some trends. 'It sometimes takes an entire day to paint, especially Stitch, because the drawing needs to be perfected,' she said. Maryam added that this is why she decided not to upload any 'Labubu' doll products as she knew the demand would be high. 'I already got requests from people to draw the Labubu on different items, especially on wallets for Eid. But because of the pressure, I didn't want to add pictures of it on my Instagram,' she said. Internet sensations Even influencer breakups are not spared from some businesses' marketing efforts. The Lebanese restaurant Allo Beirut uploaded a TikTok post joining in on the 'Thewizardliz' bandwagon. Lize Dzjabrailova, also known as Thewizardliz, recently was in the internet's spotlight after she accused her husband Landon Nickerson of extramarital affairs. Allo Beirut uploaded a TikTok post with the caption 'Landon is NOT allowed to come to Allo Beirut', teasingly referring to the breakup and siding with Lize. This became their most-liked video as of yet on the platform, but whether it gained them more profit is unknown. What is clear, though, is that businesses stand to gain more than just profit when they capitalise on pop culture and trends. 'Trend-based promotions can also create an opportunity [for businesses] to build long-term customer loyalty,' Al Harmoodi said.
What's On
5 hours ago
- What's On
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025: Your guide to the after race concerts
We can't wait! We can't believe it's already June, which means we now have just six months to go before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix roars into the city. Formula 1 fans will be on the edge of their seats watching the fast cars and daring drivers out on the circuit during the day, but in the evening, they will be treated to the Yasalam After Race Concerts. As of now, all the artists for the four days have been confirmed, but… will they be announcing any additional acts? We are keeping our eyes on the news. For now… Here are all the artists performing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after race concerts in 2025 IMPORTANT: If you have an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket, you are granted access to the Yasalam After Race Concerts. Concert tickets can't be purchased separately. And tickets are selling out, so grab the last seats before it's too late. On the day of the concert, you will most likely have to collect separate wristbands for the concert (one per day for each concert), but we will update you on this process when we get confirmation. Benson Boone When: Thursday, December 4, 2025 If you're on social media, you'll surely know Benson Boone. He's the American singer-songwriter behind some mega TikTok tunes, including Beautiful Things, In The Stars, Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else, and Slow It Down. Benson Boone first appeared for an audition on American Idol Season 19, where he received a resounding 'YES' on the televised singing competition. He did not go on to win American Idol, but his departure propelled him into not just becoming a great singer but also snapping up a number of awards in 2024 and 2025. He also performed at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards in February this year. During his performance in Abu Dhabi, you can expect his smooth vocal style backed with plenty of jazzy costumes, sweet dance moves, and maybe some cool backflips. Would it be too much to ask for a bit of piano too, please, sir? Post Malone When: Friday, December 5, 2025 The Syracuse-born chartbuster last performed in the UAE capital during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend back in 2018, and his return seven whole years later has surely gotten the fans excited. Austin Richard Post, aka Post Malone, is one of the most successful and genre-defying performers of his generation, with chart-topping superhits such as Circles, Rockstar and Jackie Chan , and his 20-time platinum single Sunflower has surpassed 80 million records sold worldwide. Elyanna When: Friday, December 5, 2025 Palestinian-Chilean breakout star Elyanna has also been confirmed to perform as part of the Yasalam After Race Concerts at Etihad Park on Friday, December 5. She first wowed crowds ahead of Coldplay's record-busting series of shows at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City in January and will now return to take the stage with superstar Post Malone in an unprecedented duet that will have the UAE capital's crowds on their feet. Metallica When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 Metal fans! This one is for you. The one and only Metallica is heading to Abu Dhabi to perform over race weekend. The group has gifted the world some electrifying hits, including Enter Sandman , Nothing Else Matters , Master of Puppets , I Disappear , Fade to Black, Battery, One and that's just to name a few of their brilliant tunes. You may be tired after the racing action out on the circuit, but get ready to headbang when these brilliant souls take to the stage. (PS. Pack the paracetamol.) Katy Perry When: Sunday, December 7, 2025 Katy Perry is set to perform on Sunday, December 7, 2025, and is sure to add to the loud cheers post the glittering Firework (s) that will go off on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on the final day of the racing action at the Yas Marina Circuit. A perfect way to end the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The American pop singer is known for some huge belters, including Hot N Cold, The One That Got Away, I Kissed A Girl, Teenage Dream, and many other hits. Closer to the action If you already have your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 seats booked, you can upgrade your concert tickets to the Golden Circle and unlock priority access close to the stage on See you there! Want to catch the races? Here's your guide to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Images: Getty Images
Gulf Today
5 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Here are the details of the viral Labubu, part toy, part fashion
Labubu, the plush toy from China's Pop Mart is a social media darling, but the toothy little monsters are far from an overnight success. Having appeared a decade ago, Labubus may have finally cemented their place in the collectible toy market for years to come. The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared with pointed ears and pointy teeth, in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015. In 2019 Lung struck a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn't until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and NBA star Dillon Brooks. K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink began posting images of hers for her more than 100 million followers on Instagram and on TikTok, where Labubu pandemonium has broken out. There are 1.4 million #Labubu TikTok posts and counting, videos of fans unboxing them, showing styles inspired by them, and of course, Labubu cosplay. Fans have latched on to Labubu's mashup of play and fashion, making them accessories on handbags, backpacks and belts, or hanging them from car mirrors. "The character has evolved into a collectible and style symbol, resonating with fans who connect with its quirky aesthetic and unique backstory," Emily Brough, Popmart's head of IP licensing in the Americas, said. Labubu has been a bonanza for Pop Mart. Its revenue more than doubled in 2024 to 13.04 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), thanks in part to its elvish monster. Revenue from Pop Mart's plush toys soared more than 1,200% in 2024, nearly 22% of its overall revenue, according to the company's annual report. Aside from their ability to pique the interest of toy aficionados and fashionistas, Labubu latched on to the blind box phenomenon, where the purchaser doesn't know exactly which version of the plush toy they'll get. And Pop Mart made sure there is a Labubu for everyone, regardless of income. Most are priced in a wide rage between $20 and $300, with certain collaborations or limited editions priced higher, according to Brough. Unlike many toys, Labubu devotees include a large number of adults. Buyers ages 18 and over drove a year-over-year increase of more than $800 million in the U.S. toy market in 2024, according to market research firm Circana. Adult shoppers, mostly female, bought the toys for themselves. In 2025's first quarter, toy sales for those ages 18 and over rose 12% from the prior-year period. At $1.8 billion, adults also accounted for the highest spending among all age groups in the quarter. Like many retailers, Pop Mart is actively monitoring negotiations between the U.S. and just about every one of its trading partners as prices may be impacted. The situation with China is at the forefront, with President Donald Trump saying on Friday that the country "violated" an agreement with the United States on trade talks. Right now Pop Mart, whose products are manufactured across Asia, says that it is continuously scaling production and expanding distribution across its online shop, retail stores and blind box vending machines to meet increasing demand. Short supply has led to long lines at stores and at least one physical fight at a shopping center in the United Kingdom. Pop Mart said in an Instagram post late last month that it was temporarily suspending all in-store and blind box machine sales in the U.K. Peter Shipman, head of Europe, said in a Facebook post that the company is currently working on a new method to distribute toys to stores. Resellers have become problematic and many Labubu fans are still willing to pay exorbitant price markups. Looking to keep up with the overwhelming demand, Pop Mart says it's on track for 50 more retail locations in the U.S. by the end of the year. That'll give shoppers more chances to hunt for Labubus, as Pop Mart says it's planning multiple new Labubu releases tied to seasonal moments and holidays throughout the rest of the year. Associated Press
