Latest news with #POPMART
The Star
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Feature: Kidults' emotional cravings, not just toys, drive POP MART's popularity
by Xinhua writer Zheng Bofei LONDON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A crowd of collectors and POP MART fans gathers outside the brand's brightly lit flagship store on Oxford Street, eager to explore its signature blind-box toys, like Skullpanda, Dimoo, and the iconic Labubu, known for its fluffy body and toothy grin. Some had traveled from as far as Southeast Asia and mainland Europe, not just to shop, but to trade art toys, connect with fellow fans, and capture the perfect unboxing moment for TikTok. Once a niche brand in China, POP MART is now one of the fastest-growing cultural phenomena in Europe. Founded in Beijing in 2010, POP MART rose to fame through its original character designs and collaborations with emerging artists. Its IP-driven collectibles, especially the mischievous yet charming Labubu, resonate deeply with fans seeking more than just aesthetic appeal -- they crave emotion, surprise, and connection. "They were never meant to be a money-making madness in a resale market, but a moment in time for adults to become childlike and silly again. Every human deserves to feel that," said Amy-Lee Cowey-Small, a long-time marketing veteran. This emotional pull sets POP MART apart from traditional toy makers. It doesn't merely sell figures -- it sells feelings, rituals, and shared experiences. Central to its appeal is blind-box culture, where buyers don't know which toy they've purchased until they open the box. This "ritualized uncertainty" has resonated strongly with Gen Z and millennial consumers in Europe. On TikTok and Instagram, influencers regularly post unboxing videos, turning these toys into cultural symbols of identity and self-expression. POP MART's design philosophy blends Asian aesthetics with Western art influences, creating figures that feel both familiar and refreshingly new. This multicultural style has drawn attention from celebrities like Madonna Louise Ciccone and British TV personality Olivia Attwood, further embedding POP MART in Europe's creative mainstream. Since opening its first UK store in Soho in 2022, POP MART has rapidly expanded across the country, with stores now in Oxford Street, Manchester, Westfield Stratford, Cambridge, and Birmingham. By the end of 2025, it expects to operate 17 standalone stores in Britain, not including its rapidly growing network of roboshops. According to the company's European retail head, over 90 percent of its customer base in Britain now consists of local Britons and Europeans. "This is no longer a niche brand for the Asian diaspora," said Scarlett Zhao, POP MART's head of marketing, Europe. "We've gone mainstream." As demand continues to rise, Zhao rejected claims that the company is deliberately limiting supply to create hype. "We're often asked whether the limited availability of our plush toys is intentional, but the answer is no -- we do not engage in scarcity marketing. Our production is guided by long-term demand forecasting and brand planning rhythms to provide consumers with high-quality and consistent product experiences," Zhao said. "Plush toys require intricate craftsmanship and a strong attention to detail, which naturally calls for careful planning and production time. We prioritize craftsmanship and customer experience -- not scarcity as a marketing tactic," Zhao added. POP MART is now developing an online lottery system to reduce onsite congestion and deter scalper activity in Britain and France. POP MART isn't alone in riding the wave of China's collectible boom. Brands like TOPTOY launched by MINISO are also expanding across Asia and the Middle East, though TOPTOY focuses on licensed IPs like Disney and Naruto, rather than original characters. As Chinese collectible brands grow in prominence, their appeal is beginning to win over prestigious Western retailers. Zhao said luxury venues like Harrods were initially reluctant to take a chance on an unfamiliar Chinese brand. But that changed quickly. "As our IPs gained international visibility and our customer base expanded across Europe, conversations with prestigious partners naturally evolved into long-term collaborations," said Zhao. "Today, we're proud to be part of a new wave of cultural brands that Harrods and other top-tier retailers are embracing," she added. For consumers like Ma and Serena, both in their twenties, POP MART has become a lifestyle. "Once I got one, I got obsessed," said Ma. "And I told my friend Serena to get one too." "I saw an influencer open a blind box on Instagram. I went to the store the next day," said Serena. "That was it. I'm hooked." This growing community of collectors, many of whom kidults, isn't just chasing rare toys -- they're discovering shared joy, nostalgia, and pocket-sized companions through a distinctly modern cultural language.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Therapy in a box? ‘Kidults' turn to Labubu & Pop Mart for comfort
[SINGAPORE] If you thought Pop Mart's viral toy empire was powered solely by Gen Zs and TikTokers, think again. In Singapore, it's the 40-somethings – middle-aged professionals juggling careers, kids and caregiving – who are also driving the collectibles boom. Based on a recent poll by online marketplace Carousell, 42 per cent of users in its Hobbies and Toys category are aged 41 and above. Even more striking: 40 per cent of these older collectors report spending more than S$1,000 annually on collectibles, just behind the 26-30 age group at 56 per cent. Their favorite collectibles? Labubu, followed by Mofusand, Prismatic Evolutions, Crybaby, Pokemon, Lego and Jellycat. For these midlifers, collecting is more than a hobby – it's a much-needed coping mechanism. With names such as Happiness and Serenity, Labubu's latest plushies series is all about making people feel good. PHOTO: POP MART Just ask Valerie Koh, deputy director of Arts House Limited and mother of four, who owns more than a hundred Pop Mart toys. 'After a stressful day, you buy one and you feel better. It's that simple,' she says. She admits to buying at least one blind box a week, sometimes more, since her kids also enjoy the toys. Her current obsession? Crybaby, which she hangs on her designer bags. 'They're just cute little things that make me happy. They're little mood boosters for adults with disposable cash.' Pop Mart certainly knows this: Its latest Labubu plushies series has characters called Happiness, Serenity and Hope, while its latest Space Molly series is inspired by emojis. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Both men and women of a certain age are seeking solace in Labubu. PHOTO: AFP Emotional benefits galore Dr Hannah H Chang, associate professor of marketing at Singapore Management University, is not surprised by Carousell's findings. 'People in their 40s are among the most stressed,' she explains. 'They often have young kids and ageing parents. They're at the age where they have a lot of responsibilities at work – but at the same time, they also have a stable salary with which they can easily afford a toy that typically costs between S$15.90 and S$24.90.' These toys offer emotional benefits for the buyers – relief from daily burdens, as well as reminders of simpler times when they were kids and had less to worry about. 'So they buy these toys to find some semblance of control and joy in a small object – and that can be a surprisingly powerful emotion,' says Dr Chang. The phenomenon of 'kidults' has certainly been gaining ground. 'The pandemic was tough on everyone, but now there's the tariff wars that may likely impact economies and jobs. People in their 40s are among the most worried about the future right now – so it's no surprise they're turning to toys for escapism,' she adds. Mega Space Molly's latest Emoji series focuses on capturing people's moods. PHOTO: POP MART Pop Mart's financials reflect this trend. In 2024, the Chinese company's net income rose 188 per cent to 3.1 billion yuan (S$555 million), with full-year sales more than doubling to 13 billion yuan. Sales of The Monsters dolls, including Labubu, rose to three billion yuan in 2024 compared with 368 million yuan before. Crybaby, another fast-growing intellectual property product, had a more than 1,500 per cent increase in related revenue. Pop Mart's marketing genius Pyron Tan, another married 40-something, has been collecting Labubu long before the craze. He had early models, including the Labubu X Sml figurines, which he sold for five times their original price. 'I think I bought them for around S$40 and sold for about S$200 – though I recently saw a similar piece on Carousell with an asking price of S$1,699,' he says. An early collector of Labubus, 44-year-old Pyron Tan has been able to sell some discontinued figurines at four or five times the retail price. PHOTO: PYRON TAN But the creative professional insists he isn't in it for the money. 'I buy what I like. But if the price goes up, I might choose to let it go.' He then uses the profits to pay for his next toy. 'For me, buying toys helps me destress. It is self-care – part retail therapy, and part making up for the fact that I didn't have a lot of toys when I was growing up.' Like Tan, 76 per cent of Carousell respondents aged 41 and above in the survey have been collecting for more than five years – well before the global Labubu craze took off in 2024, sparked by a spontaneous endorsement from Thai pop star Lisa. Interestingly, 14 per cent of these midlifers started collecting only within the past year, suggesting that the Lisa effect has spread to a minority of 40-somethings who previously didn't even collect toys. Dr. Chang believes none of this is accidental. 'Pop Mart is very smart about identifying and responding to emerging demographics,' she says. 'They've ramped up production of their small plushies that double as fashion accessories – popular not just with teenagers but with adult women. They're cute, collectible and wearable, so you can feel you're part of a community when you carry it around.' Carousell's recent poll shows that people aged 41 to 50 are the biggest users of its Hobbies and Toys category. GRAPHIC: CAROUSELL At the same time, the brand caters to serious collectors with premium figurines that sometimes increase in value, while also reimagining the online shopping experience. Its digital feature, Pop Now, lets users shake their phones to partially reveal what's inside a blind box – bringing the tactile thrill of in-store shopping into the digital realm. 'I've never seen anyone replicate that experience so successfully,' says Dr Chang. Add free delivery for orders above just S$47.70 – eliminating the common gripe of shipping costs – and it's no surprise that sales have soared. 'They hold my feelings' Jasline Ng, another working mother in her 40s, doesn't just buy blind boxes – she sometimes purchases entire collections at one go. With more disposable income than younger collectors, she sources for rare models on Carousell and TikTok, gifts blind boxes to her friends and relatives, and dresses up her Labubus in pretty outfits. Midlifer Jasline Ng and her daughter bond over Labubu and Crybaby. PHOTO: JASLINE NG 'These toys make me feel young,' she says. 'They connect me with different age groups and conversations. Whenever I see someone else carrying a Labubu or Crybaby, I feel connected to them – like we're part of the same community.' Some have called her childish. But she doesn't care. 'My daughter loves the Crybaby cherry magnets. She says it represents the two of us sticking together... Overall, these toys give me emotional support. It's like Crybaby is holding my emotions for me. If I feel sad, it reminds me it's okay to cry.' For Ng, Koh and Tan, Pop Mart toys aren't just playthings – they're therapy sessions in a box.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Toy Trends from Yiwu: Who's the Next Big Hit after POP MART?
YIWU, China, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. As one of Yiwu's flagship categories, "toys" consistently rank among the top search keywords on Yiwugo's trending lists. In recent years, dark horses like MOLLY and LABUBU have emerged in the toy sector, with sales performance far exceeding market expectations. Over time, the toy market continues to produce new breakout hits. On March 26, 2025, POP MART released its annual financial report for 2024, which shows that the company achieved a revenue of CNY 13.04 billion in 2024, representing a 106.9% year-on-year increase. Among this, the domestic revenue from Chinese mainland accounted for CNY 7.97 billion, up 52.3% from the previous year. Ms. Yu Le, a merchant on Yiwugo's platform operating Candy House Phone Accessories, leveraged her authorization granted by POP MART to incorporate both original and fan-designed variations of the brand's characters into product designs. This strategy has attracted a surge of e-commerce and livestreaming clients, with many individual clients' monthly purchases reaching millions of CNY. Yiwugo's big data analysis revealed that, in February 2025, overseas buyers began inquiring about aquatic toys like water guns, which entered their peak sales season in April. By mid-to-late May, orders for these water toys were largely fulfilled. Ms. Wang Ziding, owner of Yuchen Toys on the Yiwugo platform, shared that electric pulse water guns have been a top seller in overseas markets this year. Equipped with fully automatic water absorption and balanced pressure for extended range shooting capability, these water guns have made a striking debut. As production scaled up over the past two years, prices became more competitive, fueling booming demand both domestically and abroad. It's common for single clients to order around 100 cases per purchase. Meanwhile, another domestic hit has emerged: the "firework water gun". Inspired by a 2024 viral short video featuring a makeshift water gun made from a perforated plastic water bottle that sprays water in firework-like patterns, manufacturers quickly rolled out upgraded versions. These toy guns overhauled traditional nozzles, with a standard 120-hole nozzle that creates rotating water patterns mimicking fireworks under pressure. Wang noted that by April, the company's daily output of 20,000 firework water guns still struggled to meet demand. Another rising star in the toy market is polymer clay sheets. As a versatile material for DIY crafts, fashion accessories, and art education, polymer clay caters to everyone from children to professional artists, with applications spanning global markets. Mr. Shi Yan, a veteran in the polymer clay industry, operates Effectouch Polymer Clay Arts & Crafts on Yiwugo, where the business has been operating for over 11 years. With factories in Dongyang, Jinhua (Zhejiang Province) and Hebei Province, the company uses proprietary formulas to produce clay with a smooth texture, high malleability, fade-resistant and colorfast properties, and resistance to cracking or discoloration. Its extensive color library of over 1,000 shades meets diverse global client needs. Shi added that the company has established a U.S. design division, which gathers cutting-edge market insights, ensuring their designs remain globally relevant and infused with fresh creative elements. In 2021, the DIY craft trend surged, driving the company's sales to a peak. After connecting with Effectouch through Yiwugo, a Brazilian client regularly purchased around two shipping containers of polymer clay products per month. These products flew off the shelves immediately upon arrival in Brazilian stores. As Effectouch expanded its offerings in recent years, polymer clay sheets have gained popularity not only as raw materials for crafts, beaded accessories, and DIY jewelry but also as children's toys and early education tools. The company maintains partnerships with global retail giants like Walmart for over a decade, with many bulk orders now leaning toward cultural and sports-related applications. As Shi emphasized, polymer clay, as a high-quality medium, can play diverse roles. Its versatility in shapes and colors makes it a compelling choice for consumers. He believes polymer clay will continue to outperform in global markets in the coming years. From the tech-driven thrill of pulse water guns to the vibrant creativity of polymer clay, the Yiwu toy industry is proving itself as a global "hit-making machine". Innovation here doesn't require grand narratives - it thrives in the tiny details that spark imagination and childlike wonder, compelling consumers worldwide to pay for play. And that, perhaps, is the timeless business code of the "World's Supermarket". View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
POP MART set to open in Providence Place
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The POP MART craze is coming to Providence. Providence Place announced that POP MART will soon be opening a store within the mall. The China-based collectible toy maker is known primarily for its plush monster-like Labubu dolls. POP MART also sells 'blind boxes' of different toys and figurines, some of which are exclusive collectibles. It's unclear exactly when POP MART will be opening its doors, but it will be located on the first floor near the LEGO store. ALSO READ: Providence Place changes visitor parking rates Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Labubu chaos as shop halts sales of viral 'monster' doll due to huge 'demand'
'Labubu fever' is real as POP MART UK has had to temporarily stop sales due to crazy queues - leaving fans distraught and some even claiming they've booked the day off work With their mischievous little potato faces, Labubu dolls have become the latest craze for toy -obsessed shoppers. Now POP MART UK has had to temporarily halt sales of one of their most popular collections due to safety concerns caused by intense queues. In an Instagram post on May 19, POP MART UK wrote: 'Due to the increasing demand for our beloved Labubus, we've seen a significant rise in customer turnout on restock days – with long queues forming outside our stores and Roboshops. To ensure the safety and comfort of everyone, we will temporarily pause all in-store and roboshop sales of THE MONSTERS plush toys until further notice.' READ MORE: Labubu dolls are going viral - everything you need to know about the latest craze Though they confirmed that online drops would continue as usual and urged customers to keep an eye out for new announcements to know when the next one would happen. They added: 'We're working hard behind the scenes to improve the shopping experience both in-store and online. Thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding.' POP MART is a Chinese toy brand that opened its first European flagship store in London 2022. Since then, it's become a hotspot to pick up collectable 'designer' toys – including Labubus. They're all part of a series of furry dolls which are sold in "blind boxes". The toys have become popularised by YouTubers, social media influencers and celebrities – with Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Olivia Attwood being just some of the famous faces to have joined in on the trend. The hashtag 'Labubu' has over 1.4 million posts on TikTok. Over 2024, The Monsters IP (which includes Labubu) generated 3 billion yuan (£311,187,000), as reported by Time Magazine. Then in April, Labubu released their Big Into Energy series, which completely sold out worldwide within a week. They are still available to buy from POP MART. It became the biggest collectibles release ever on resale platform StockX, with an average resale price of $208 (£155). That's a 24 per cent increase when compared with its original retail price of $168 (£125), as reported by Vogue Business. Unsurprisingly, Brits have been quick to pick up what's been dubbed as 'Labubu fever'. Queues for the toys have gone viral. On May 16, Birmingham Live reported dozens of fans queuing for eight hours outside the Bullring Pop Mart store. But their popularity has now become their undoing. UK Lababu doll fans have been quick to share their distress over Labubu's new announcement. 'No stop it!!! I haven't even got a SINGLE Labubu and wanted to go this Friday - I even booked a day off WORK only to read this. I'm so sad [right now],' one commenter wrote. 'I'm gutted!!! I am going to London at the weekend and I really wanted to get my first labubu!! Looks like I won't be getting any (sad face),' another wrote. 'How's it gotten out of hand, makes no sense I just wanted a Labubu,' a third user added. Some have even been waking up at the crack of dawn just to get their hands on one. 'Omg no,' a user wrote, 'my sister said she was gonna go tomorrow morning at 5:00 as well and get all three generations, I'm so sadddd.' But other TikTokkers have been blaming the pause on sales on this kind of behaviour. One said: 'People lining up at 5am is also one of the issues. Huge lines before the stores even open, it's a safety issue.' Some have also been pointing to the volume of resellers looking to make a profit from the toy drops. Under their Instagram announcement, one commenter wrote: 'Happy to hear... please please find a solution for resellers buying all not all of us can queue early due to work."
