Labubu Mania: China’s Pop Mart Toy Sensation Takes Over the Middle East

The widely adored plush charm isn’t merely fashionable in the area; it’s also quite pricey, with a price tag of $109.

Following its rapid ascent in the United States and Southeast Asia, Pop Mart International’s newest version of its popular line has taken off.
Labubu character
has won over wealthy enthusiasts
Middle East
, a clear indication that the Beijing-based toymaker’s aspiration to evolve into a “genuinely international corporation” is accelerating.

The Google trends data indicates that there is notable interest in the large-toothed, elven character developed by an artist from Hong Kong.
Kasing Lung
surged in the
United Arab Emirates
Following the April 25 release of the newest episode in the Big Into Energy series, the most significant participation came from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah among the major emirates.

Formerly not well-known in the area, Labubu has gained traction in Saudi Arabia, which boasts the biggest economy in the Middle East. During the week starting May 18th, searches for Labubu on Google reached their peak but saw a minor decline the following week. This trend indicates high popularity, with the highest search interests recorded in the Riyadh province, followed by the Eastern Province and Mecca.

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The toy isn’t merely popular in the area; it’s also costly. A Dubai-based financial specialist named Ben Dupont informed the Post that he purchased his inaugural Labubu through Careem, a nearby delivery service, at a price of 300 dirhams (approximately US$109).

He mentioned that he stumbled upon it while looking for bottled water during his shopping trip. Despite knowing he’s paying extra, he opted to buy one because of all the advertisements he kept encountering, and also since it was unavailable at Dubai Mall.

He mentioned that the character appeared “somewhat frightening,” yet he considered it “rather amusing.”

Now, all three iterations of the toy can be found on the Uber-operated mega application, each carrying a price tag of 300 dirhams—a considerable increase from its initial launch price in the United States, set at $28, which itself was $6 more than previous editions.

Dupond mentioned that the tie-dyed toys were sold in mystery boxes, which meant customers couldn’t select specific ones. However, he was particularly eager to obtain a green version.

A significant portion of the excitement surrounding Labubu can be attributed to social media promotions and celebrity backing from prominent figures like Blackpink’s Lisa and multifaceted artist Rihanna. Within the Middle Eastern market, regional influencers were instrumental in driving interest as well.

An Instagram account named @labubu.ae attracted over 6,400 followers within slightly more than a month. One of its sleek postings features a video of Iraqi-American makeup entrepreneur Huda Kattan opening multiple Labubu mystery boxes. Additionally, the page demonstrated ways to match these collectibles with high-end bags from brands like Louis Vuitton and Hermès.

What I enjoy about this is the element of surprise; you simply can’t predict what will be inside,” Kattan mentioned in the video. Afterward, upon unwrapping a tan-colored Labubu, she commented, “I quite like her actually; she has an adorable color. She’s going to look charming on my bags.

Pop Mart’s global expansion has proven highly successful, with international earnings surging between 475% and 480% in the first quarter compared to the previous year, as stated in an April financial report. The United States saw the most significant increase at around 900%, followed by substantial gains in Europe where revenues rose over sixfold.

This impressive showing also boosted the position of Pop Mart, which is listed in Hong Kong, into the
A HK$300 billion (US$38.3 billion) market cap club
Last week, this made it the 27th most valuable company on the city’s stock exchange. Over the past year, the stock price has increased approximately tenfold.

A JPMorgan report indicates that Pop Mart’s worldwide earnings are expected to increase by over 150 percent for this year, along with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 42 percent up until 2027.

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The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.

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