The controversy surrounding the popular Labubu dolls has escalated following the decision by the manufacturer, Pop Mart, to halt sales of these sought-after toys across all its stores in the United Kingdom. The move comes as a reaction to reports of rampant chaos among customers vying for the popular monster bag charms, leading to confrontations and unsafe situations. As fans expressed their outrage on social media, the company emphasized the preventive measure was taken to avoid safety issues.
Pop Mart, which operates 16 shops in the UK, has postponed selling Labubu dolls until June. The brand is well-known for creating unique and trendy collectibles, particularly after the character gained fame on platforms like TikTok, often showcased by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa. However, the popularity has translated into alarming scenes in shopping outlets. A fan named Victoria Calvert described her experiences at the Stratford store in London, where she witnessed customers aggressively fighting over the toys, prompting a sense of fear among the crowd.
Despite its quirky design created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, the spiraling demand for Labubu toys reflects a larger trend where collectibles become fashionable accessories. They are now sold at UK prices between £13.50 and £50, with rare versions fetching hundreds on resale platforms like eBay and Vinted. While Pop Mart has indicated they are crafting a more structured system for sales, many fans are irate over the current stoppage, arguing that the hype was triggered by the company’s intermittent stock availability.
On platforms like Instagram, fans have voiced their frustrations towards Pop Mart, suggesting that the company’s approach has driven the competition for the toys to a frenzy. Comments ranged from blaming Pop Mart for “drip-feeding” toys to the market, thus fostering the hype, to condemning resellers for marking up prices exorbitantly. One fan lamented that resellers often ask for prices around £100 per doll, making it inaccessible for genuine fans.
Victoria Calvert recounted arriving at the shop to find eager buyers who had queued since the early hours. Describing the atmosphere as tense, she noted the negative energy surrounding the crowd, with customers yelling about the unavailability of the dolls and witnessing a physical altercation between a shop assistant and a customer. Feeling uncomfortable, she decided to leave without making a purchase, recognizing that Pop Mart’s choice to suspend sales was ultimately a necessary action.
Other fans have voiced similar sentiments, with many indicating that, despite being upset about the pause in sales, they see it as a wise decision for Customer Safety. Another fan, Jaydee, who actively posts videos unboxing Labubu dolls on TikTok, spoke about how reselling practices have spoiled the enjoyment of collecting for genuine fans. She appreciated the decision to pause sales, as it might return the focus to true enthusiasts rather than profiteers.
Market experts have pointed out that Pop Mart’s artificial scarcity, particularly through the use of blind box selling, has inevitably led to the current chaos during product releases. Susannah Streeter from Hargreaves Lansdown noted that the initial thrill around the product drops could tarnish the brand’s playful image, leading to this necessary sales hiatus.
With the announcement of a potential new system for reintroducing the toys in June, Pop Mart aims to create a more balanced experience for consumers and mitigate overwhelming crowds. They emphasized that the current customer experience falls short of their brand aspirations, highlighting the importance of offering a secure, pleasant shopping environment. As fans await the return of Labubu dolls to store shelves, the anticipation has led some to speculate that demand will peak even higher, with many flocking to resale markets in hopes of snagging one before they disappear again.