Latest news with #KasingLung
San Francisco Chronicle
3 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
$30,000 in stolen Labubu dolls recovered from California home
Detectives in Southern California recovered thousands of dollars' worth of Labubu dolls from a residence in Upland (San Bernardino County) on Monday after 14 boxes of the viral dolls were allegedly stolen. The investigation began after a warehouse in Chino (San Bernardino County) was targeted in a series of break-ins over several days, Chino police said. Thieves made multiple trips to the site, stealing boxes of Labubu dolls — rare collectibles made popular by the toy company Pop Mart and often resold online for significant profits. 'These items are popular in pop culture and often sold for high prices online,' the Chino Police Department said in a statement. Following investigative leads, detectives executed a search warrant at the Upland residence, police said. One suspect attempted to flee but ultimately surrendered without incident, police said. Inside the home, officers allegedly discovered the stolen merchandise along with evidence that the dolls were being packaged for resale and shipment across the country. The recovered property was valued at approximately $30,000 and was returned to its owners. Authorities did not release the suspect's identity.. 'Outstanding teamwork in bringing this case to a close!' the department wrote in a Facebook post. Labubu dolls, designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, are part of Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' line and are frequently featured in online toy drops. Their popularity has soared in recent years, attracting a devoted global fanbase and celebrity collectors. The investigation into the warehouse theft remained ongoing Tuesday.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Grand Theft Labubu? Police recover $30,000 worth of the stolen toys
You've heard of Grand Theft Auto, but what about Grand Theft Labubu? Well, police investigating a warehouse robbery recovered thousands of dollars worth of Labubus, the popular toy that has taken the internet by storm, Chino, California, officials said in a news release. When serving a search warrant to a resident in nearby Upland, the detectives recovered 14 boxes of Labubus valued at around $30,000. Evidence shows that the stolen Labubus located in southern California were being prepared for resale, according to the police department. Labubus, which are difficult to purchase from Pop Mart, the original vendor, are often resold online for high prices. The Labubus have since been returned to their rightful owners. What happened? The Labubus were stolen from a warehouse over several days, according to police. During the investigation, when police served the search warrant, a suspect attempted to flee the scene but surrendered. Police did not identify the suspects in their press release. Is your Labubu real? We spot differences between Pop Mart dolls and 'Lafufus' Other Labubu theft in California The recovery came after another location, One Stop Sales, a store in La Puente, California, 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, shared footage of thieves stealing around $7,000 worth of Labubus from the store, USA TODAY reported last week. "The vehicle used in the crime, a stolen Toyota Tacoma, was recovered shortly afterward," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. USA TODAY has reached out to the Chino and Los Angeles police departments for additional information, including any potential links between the two incidents. What is a Labubu? Labubu is a doll that resembles a monster, featuring a large head, sharp teeth and prominent eyes. The Labubu keychains are furry and come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Pop Mart has sold small Labubus, in addition to dolls shaped like shrimp tempura, carrying Coke products, dressed as pumpkins and more. Some people might say the doll looks a bit scary, while others think they're downright adorable. The doll was designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung around 10 years ago, according to Business Insider. But today, Labubus are sold worldwide by the Beijing-based toy maker Pop Mart, as part of their 'The Monsters' line. They are adored by many, including celebrities like Lizzo and Lady Gaga. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Forbes
an hour ago
- Business
- Forbes
Labubu's $1.8B Blueprint: From Toy Craze To Supply Chain Masterclass
Chances are, you've seen Labubu before - you just didn't know what it was. Labubu is a line of collectible designer plush toys featuring quirky monster elves, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. These toys have become hugely popular worldwide, with people collecting, reselling, and getting a real thrill just from the unboxing experience. But what makes Labubu such a big deal, and what can it teach your business? Let's dive in and find out. FOMO Effect and Social Media Influence Labubu's popularity is no accident. It's a textbook example of smart marketing that leverages modern engagement tools and targets the right audience. They're not just selling a toy - they're selling exclusivity, community, and a limited-edition experience that creates genuine urgency. This toy became a social media sensation and cultural phenomenon through a mix of savvy marketing tactics, celebrity endorsements, viral social media, and the emotional and aesthetic appeal of the character itself. People post everything about this toy on social media from unboxing to dressing it up, creating a strong sense of exclusive community together with celebrities who also have this toy. People aren't just buying a product - they're buying an emotion. That's what fuels the massive demand. Labubu perfectly reflects broader consumer trends where nostalgia, exclusivity, community, and social status drive buying behavior among younger generations, turning a simple toy into a symbol of identity in digital culture. With social media playing a huge role in sparking sudden demands, any product can go viral overnight. The question is: is your business truly prepared to meet that surge in demand when it happens? Sensing and managing the demand When you operate in the modern world, using outdated and old tools ( Read ''Supply Chain Practices That Should Be Fossilized'') will only slow you down. Speed and agility are your superpowers and tools like AI-powered demand forecasting can be a game-changer. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, companies can quickly detect viral trends and shifts in consumer sentiment. These technologies respond to sudden market changes, emerging trends, and external disruptions much faster than ever before. Not only do they enable smarter decision-making, but they also help optimize inventory, reduce waste, and better meet customer expectations - even in times of disruptions. I've sensed the demand. What now? When you notice a sudden spike in demand, the next move is crucial. Should you ramp up production, expedite an order from suppliers overseas, or reroute existing shipments? Making the right decision quickly can make or break your opportunity to capitalize on the viral moment. This is where having a dynamic response and supply planning system becomes essential. Such a system helps you quickly analyze real-time data to create the most effective supply plans, considering factors like production capacity, material availability, and delivery constraints. It enables you to prioritize orders, identify potential delays or shortages early, and adjust shipments or production schedules proactively. This approach not only helps meet urgent customer needs without overloading your resources but also reduces waste, lowers costs, and improves overall supply chain resilience. By responding with agility and precision, you can turn sudden market opportunities into lasting success. The Labubu phenomenon offers a powerful lesson for businesses today: success comes not just from a great product, but from creating emotional connections, fostering community, and leveraging modern tools to respond swiftly to demand. But even when your product becomes viral overnight, embracing smart marketing, real-time data, and agile supply planning can turn unexpected viral moments into an opportunity for stainable growth and lasting customer loyalty. Don't wait for unexpected demand to catch you off guard, learn how to evolve your supply chain.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Urgent warning issued to Brit parents over 'dangerous' viral Labubu toy copies
The highly sought-after collectables were found in Yorskshire in a crackdown on 'dangerous counterfeits' - as it's feared they're being flogged all over the UK Parents are being warned against buying fake Labubus after a crackdown on "dangerous counterfeits" of the viral toys. Labubus are a line of toys depicting grinning female elves created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung that are now highly collectible after going viral on social media. Lung was born in Hong Kong and moved to the Netherlands aged 7, where he learned about Nordic fairy tales. Kung released an original illustrated book series in 2015 called The Monsters, in which the female characters are featured. Thousands of youngsters have been buying the figurines, which can cost thousands for some editions. It comes after mindless yobs damage 41 cars in vandalism rampage through sleepy market town. READ MORE: Woman searches her husband's name online and awful discovery leads to his arrest However, the fake versions of the toys - which are now being flogged by rogue traders - could pose a choking risk to young children due to the small detachable parts, according to Hull City Council's Trading Standards Team. The team says it has seized hundreds of them, but there are fears there could be many more still on sale. The toys start at around £17.50 for the most basic or less known characters, but the larger and rarer versions can cost thousands of pounds. Labubus come in all shapes and sizes, and some figurines have a higher value than others. NPR reported in June that a life-size Labubu in China sold for $170,000 at an auction with more than 1,000 bidders. While the genuine product usually has glossy packaging, the fake versions have matt packaging. The teeth are also a giveaway, as the genuine version has nine teeth while the dodgy dolls have more or less, and the mouth will also be a different size or shape. They may also have incorrect colours and wobbly limbs. Newer editions carry a UV-detectable seal on the right foot, meaning consumers can check whether they have a real Labubu as it will show a silhouette of the model under UV light. It comes after a manhunt was launched for a group of thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of Labubus. The theft of $7,000 worth of the dolls took place in Los Angeles on Wednesday at the store, One Stop Sales, located about 18 miles east of Los Angeles. The LA County Sheriff's Department told the AP that four suspects used a stolen Toyota Tacoma in the robbery, and the car has since been recovered. One Stop Sales posted on Instagram that the thieves broke into the store at 1:30 a.m., taking all the inventory and 'trashing our place.' They shared CCTV footage showing the robbery on Instagram.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning to British parents over viral Labubu toys
Parents have been warned to be wary of buying fake Labubus after several of the viral toys were seized from shops. The highly sought-after collectables were found in Yorskshire in a crackdown on 'dangerous counterfeits' - as it's feared they're being flogged all over the UK. The grinning toys have been inspired by the illustrated book series The Monsters, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, in which Labubus are a tribe of female elves. The characters have become the must-have item for thousands of young adults, teens and children. The fake versions of the toothy looking elves could pose a choking hazard for children, Hull City Council's Trading Standards team said. Rogue traders are cashing in on their popularity by selling poor-quality versions with small parts which can easily detach. Hundreds of them have been seized around, but it is said there could be many more still on sale across the country. The figures retail from around £17.50, but price varies depending on size, edition and rarity - with some fetching up to thousands of pounds from resalers. The dodgy dolls tend to have matt packaging rather than glossy, more or less than the nine teeth the original Labubus have, and a different shape or size of the mouth can also be an indicator. The quality of an inauthentic Labubu will also be of poorer standard, like wobbly limbs and odd colours. To really know if you've got the real deal, buyers of newer editions will find a UV-detectable seal on the right foot. Under UV light, you should see a silhouette of the specific Labubu model. It comes after the craze for the toys saw a group of masked burglars steal an estimated $30,000 worth of the high-demand dolls during a smash-and-grab break-in at a small toy store in California, US. CCTV footage from inside the store shows at least four masked individuals smashing through the front door and bypassing electronics, the cash register, and other merchandise.
