People visit a newly opened Popop store, the Chinese toy maker Pop Mart's premium jewellery brand, in Shanghai, China June 13, 2025. — Photos: REUTERS/Go Nakamura
“Blind box” toymaker Pop Mart, which has seen frenzied sales worldwide for products related to its ugly-cute Labubu character, opened its first jewellery store in Shanghai on June 13.
The jewellery concept store, called Popop, sells accessories adorned with Pop Mart’s top-selling characters, including Labubu, Molly and Skullpanda.
While Chinese consumption remains subdued in the face of a prolonged property downturn and sluggish economy, Pop Mart’s affordable and adorable toys have remained in high demand both at home and abroad, driving its share price up more than 200 per cent so far in 2025.
People visit a newly opened Popop store, the Chinese toy maker Pop Mart's premium jewellery brand, in Shanghai, China.
Investor Zhang Zhanming, 34, who owns Pop Mart stocks worth 100 million yuan (RM59.175mil), flew from his base in the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing for the opening to check out the new store type and decide whether to increase his shareholding in the company.
“I believe that the pricing and target audience for this brand are particularly well-suited, and I am confident that Pop Mart could potentially become China’s version of Disney,” Mr Zhang said, predicting that the company’s market cap could double from its current US$45.6 billion (RM193.6bil) valuation.
People visit a newly opened Popop store, the Chinese toy maker Pop Mart's premium jewellery brand, in Shanghai, China.
Along with some Disney characters and others related to anime, comics and popular video games, Pop Mart’s characters are seen as fulfilling what has been called “emotional consumption”, which sees young consumers spend on affordable luxuries that bring joy into their lives.
Ms Fang Ke, 35, who has a birthday coming up in June, decided to treat herself to a 699 yuan Labubu bracelet at the opening. — Reuters
