Latest news with #THEMONSTERS
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sales of viral plush toy Labubu halted in UK stores after reports of brawls
Labubu, a palm-sized plush toy with sharp teeth and a cult following, has become a toy too popular to sell. After chaotic scenes of queueing, crowd surges and reported fights, distributor Pop Mart has suspended all in-store sales of the collectible across the United Kingdom. '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 (self-service stores),' the Chinese-based toy company wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday. '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.' Online sales, however, will continue as usual, it added. Labubu is the brainchild of Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung, and it has quietly built a loyal following since its 2015 debut. But in recent months, the bunny-bodied, elf-faced creature — equal parts grotesque and adorable — has soared in popularity. Stars including Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Lisa from Blackpink have worn the toys like charms, and they were were even spotted at Paris Fashion Week this year. The effect is evident in the numbers, as Pop Mart is enjoying meteoric growth both at home in China and overseas. In 2024, Pop Mart's revenue outside China skyrocketed 375.2% to 5.07 billion yuan ($700 million). Labubus alone generated 3 billion yuan ($420 million) of the company's 13.04 billion yuan ($1.8 billion) total revenue last year. Across TikTok, content featuring Labubus ranges from euphoric unboxings to clips of brawls outside stores. The hashtag 'Labubu' now carries more than 1.4 million posts, and on resale platforms such as StockX the plushies are fetching hundreds of dollars, compared with a standard retail price of up to $85. For some, the frenzy has tipped into absurdity. 'Don't risk your life for a Labubu,' read the caption on one TikTok video from Victoria Calvert. The video — now viewed more than 100,000 times — captured the escalating chaos at a Pop Mart location in London. 'There's people in balaclavas running to the front,' she said in the video, warning others to stay away. Calvert told CNN that she 'left pretty quickly' when people 'started to shout names to each other and fight.' 'That's when I realized it was a dangerous situation,' she added. While some describe such scenes of chaos with a hint of disbelief, others see an upside for Pop Mart in the mayhem. Sarah Johnson, founder and director of UK-based retail consultancy Flourish Retail, told CNN the suspension of in-store sales may be about more than just crowd control. 'Pop Mart pulling Labubus from UK stores seems like a precautionary move to de-escalate the in-store frenzy and protect both their brand and customers,' she told CNN. 'At the same time, this kind of decision keeps the product in the spotlight and adds to the sense of scarcity, which only drives further interest and attention online.' And nowhere is that more visible than on TikTok, Johnson added, where 'a single video showing a long queue, an unboxing or someone finding a 'rare' item can go viral in minutes and suddenly everyone wants it.' In today's market, she said, 'TikTok has essentially become the new high street window — except it's open 24/7 and has global reach.' A contestant from the ITV reality show 'Love Island' revealed Tuesday that she had ended up 'in a fight' with a woman in a shop over the sought-after plushies. Mal Nicol said she had queued up at a London branch of Pop Mart to bag a Labubu for her 11-year-old cousin's birthday. But Nicol, who has two of the toys herself, was left enraged by a customer nearby. 'This b*tch, she bought five, she bought five. It's actually ridiculous,' Nicol said on TikTok. 'Did I really just get in a fight with someone at Pop Mart? Yes, I did. Yes, I did,' she said. CNN's Ramishah Maruf contributed to this report.
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."
Hype Malaysia
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
(Photos) Blind Box Heaven: Pop Mart Unveils Its Largest Malaysian Store At The Exchange TRX
Blindbox and Labubu lovers unite! Pop Mart has officially launched its largest store in Malaysia at The Exchange TRX, and if you haven't paid a visit yet, consider this your sign. Opened just over a week ago, the store has already become the ultimate destination for collectors, casual fans, and anyone hooked on the thrill of blind box surprises. Pop Mart is already a well-loved name in Malaysia, with outlets in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, IOI City Mall Putrajaya, Sunway Velocity Mall, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Sunway Pyramid, and 1 Utama Shopping Centre. But with demand for its products continuing to grow, the brand has taken things to the next level. Pop Mart's latest outlet – its seventh and largest in Malaysia – is located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at The Exchange TRX, spanning a massive 2,876 square feet. On Saturday, 19th April 2025, Pop Mart fans queued early in hopes of snagging exclusive drops and limited-edition collectables at the newly launched store. Whether you're a Labubu collector, a devoted DIMOO enthusiast, or have a soft spot for Crybaby and SKULLPANDA, this store has it all. As a premium-tier outlet, the store features vibrant gradient LED lighting that enhances the collectable shopping experience. The store is thoughtfully designed with dedicated sections, including the MEGA COLLECTION, POP BEAN area, Blind Boxes, and Merchandise, offering a diverse and exciting selection for all collectors. Founded in 2010 in China, Pop Mart has grown into a global powerhouse in the designer toy and collectables industry. One of Pop Mart's biggest attractions is its blind box collectables, where customers purchase a sealed box containing a mystery figure from a series, adding an element of surprise and exclusivity to every purchase. Over the years, it has built a dedicated following of collectors and fans from all walks of life. Some of the highlights available in-store include: MEGA SPACE MOLLY 400% Optimus Prime MEGA SPACE MOLLY 1000% & 400% Stitch THE MONSTERS × One Piece Series Figures DIMOO WORLD × DISNEY Series Figures THE MONSTERS Let's Checkmate Series Vinyl Plush Doll THE MONSTERS ‒ FLIP WITH ME Vinyl Plush Doll Exclusive first-come, first-served promotions (while stocks last): MOLLY MOZERO ‒ Only 100 units available worldwide, with only 30 pieces available at The Exchange TRX! Lucky Bag Offer ‒ Get 3 random blind boxes + 1 random figurine for only RM150! (Limited availability) Gift with Purchase ‒ Spend a qualifying amount to receive a FREE ZSIGA Luggage Tag or The Monsters Almost Hidden Inflatable Sofa! Whether you're a seasoned collector or just discovering the thrill of blind boxes, Pop Mart TRX promises a little surprise and a lot of joy in every visit. You can find the store at Lot C.78, Level Concourse, The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, Imbi, 55188 Kuala Lumpur. Are you keen to visit the store? Sources: Facebook, The Malaysian Reserve Nakhla Sabrina contributed to this article
Khaleej Times
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
POP MART to make first Middle East debut at MEFCC 2025
World-renowned designer toy brand POP MART is set to make its highly anticipated debut at the Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This marks the brand's first appearance at the region's largest and most celebrated pop culture event. With a strong commitment to shaping global pop culture, POP MART has captivated collectors worldwide through its innovative approach to art toys and its trendsetting designs. By combining creativity with a robust operational model, POP MART has introduced beloved characters such as MOLLY, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, SKULLPANDA, and Hirono to a growing international fanbase. At MEFCC 2025, collectors and enthusiasts in the Middle East will, for the first time, step into POP MART's imaginative universe. The brand's presence will feature exclusive product drops, interactive exhibits, and the signature thrill of uncovering new collectibles—bringing the unique POP MART experience directly to the region's fans. "The UAE is a dynamic and fast-growing market, and we are incredibly thrilled to make our debut at MEFCC in Abu Dhabi,' said David Chew, go-to-market manager at POP MART. "This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with passionate fans, connect with new communities, and showcase POP MART's signature creativity. We can't wait to share the magic of POP MART with the international MEFCC audience." As POP MART continues its global expansion, the brand is redefining the way fans engage with collectible culture through its growing network of physical stores and ROBOSHOPs in major cities worldwide. Its participation in MEFCC 2025 is poised to be a milestone event, offering immersive brand experiences, highly sought-after collectibles, and unforgettable moments for pop culture lovers across the region. The Little Things, known for bringing the world's most iconic collectibles to the region, is the driving force behind POP MART's highly anticipated debut at the event. Commenting on this occasion, Hassan Tamimi, managing director of The Little Things said: "We're beyond excited to bring POP MART to MEFCC for the very first time. This year's Comic Con will be even more unforgettable with POP MART debut to the UAE market showcasing unique art toys and drop culture adding a fresh new energy to the scene. MEFCC 2025 is going to be a collector's paradise, and we can't wait for fans to experience it firsthand."
