Labubu Craze—Cash Grab or Cute?

 Ever since pop-sensation Lisa of BLACKPINK was spotted with the mischievous-grinned, furry monster in 2024, people all over the world have been on a hunt for the devilish plush toys, Labubus.

Lisa is not the only celebrity to endorse the trendy toy,  Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa have all been spotted with one.

Following their increase of media presence, fights between customers, chaotic shopping experiencesZ, and robberies have all occurred. This has created a tense environment for suppliers like Pop Mart–the official supplier of Labubus–employees and customers alike.

Shopping at Pop Mart has gotten brutal, and in an article by the BBC, Labubu shopper Victoria Calvert explains how when she arrived at a Pop Mart in London, “People were shouting, basically saying there were no more Labubus left.” She went on to say that she “even witnessed a fight between a worker and a customer.”     

Due to these unsafe conditions, Pop Mart made the decision to temporarily pause in-store sales in the UK and told the BBC that, “We are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved.”

Image by Unsplash

In San Francisco, the Pop Mart located in Stonestown Galleria also suspended in-store Labubu shopping, this time permanently. According to an article by the San Francisco Standard, the store was raided and found Labubu-less. The store had also faced robberies, arguments between customers (one of them including pepper spray), and an overall sense of disorder. 

Security was placed on the second floor of the mall, where a Labubu vending machine was located to monitor the floor and make sure only one plushie was sold to each person. Collectible toys have always been fan favorites for kids and teens. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have facilitated the popularity of Labubus, and they have become “a collectible, a flex, and a conversation starter all in one,” fashion designer Julie Matos said in an article for Parents. 

Adults, especially millennials, find Labubus to be a throwback to their own childhood. “The millennial generation, we grew up collecting physical objects–Beanie Babies, Furbies. I think this goes hand in hand with why this is popular now,” said 33-year-old Mary Tablante to the San Francisco Standard. 

Labubus have taken over the world one furry creature at a time, and it’s up to everyone to decide whether they want to buy into the craze or not.