Overview

• Pop Mart has temporarily paused all in-store and RoboShop sales of Labubu dolls in its 16 UK stores due to safety concerns after chaotic scenes and fights during restocks.
• Online sales of Labubu toys continue, while the company works on a new distribution system aimed at providing a fairer purchasing experience for customers.
• The scarcity-driven blind-box collectibles have surged in popularity, fueled by celebrity endorsements from Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and others, as well as widespread TikTok trends.
• Secondary market prices for rare Labubu dolls have skyrocketed, with some selling for over £1,000, while counterfeit 'Lafufus' toys complicate resale verification efforts.
• Pop Mart's decision follows reports of overnight queues, crowd violence, and resellers hoarding stock, prompting concerns over customer and staff safety.