London – In a striking example of modern pop culture fervor, the wildly popular Labubu dolls—quirky monster-themed charms designed by artist Kasing Lung—have been temporarily pulled from all UK Pop Mart stores. The decision follows reports of public disturbances and safety risks, as fan enthusiasm spiraled into chaos.
The Hong Kong-based art toy, elevated to global cult status by celebrity endorsements from figures such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, became a sought-after fashion accessory and social media sensation. Yet the feverish demand has led to long overnight queues, resale price surges, and even physical altercations.
Speaking to the BBC, Pop Mart confirmed it has paused sales across all 16 UK stores until June. “Although no Pop Mart employees have been injured, we’ve chosen to act early and prevent any potential safety issues from occurring,” the company stated.
At the heart of this frenzy lies scarcity. Customers like Victoria Calvert described the scene at the Stratford London store as tense and volatile. “People were shouting, basically saying there were no more Labubus left. I even witnessed a fight between a worker and a customer,” she recounted. Some individuals reportedly began queueing as early as 3 a.m., with others camping overnight.
Adding to the tension, limited inventory and high resale markups have enraged genuine collectors. Social media channels were flooded with frustration, as fans accused Pop Mart of “drip feeding stock” and enabling resellers. One Instagram user noted, “Buyers are re-selling them for £100 for one Labubu, which is unacceptable.”
The dolls, which retail between £13.50 and £50, have seen rare editions reach hundreds of pounds on resale platforms such as Vinted and eBay. Their value is now as much emotional as it is monetary, a characteristic of modern collectible culture.
Pop Mart has promised to develop a fairer system before relaunching in-store availability. Until then, the Labubu phenomenon stands as a testament to how design, celebrity, and scarcity can transform a toy into a high-stakes cultural emblem.
