Pop Mart has temporarily pulled its viral Labubu dolls from all 16 UK stores following concerns over the safety of customers who had reportedly been fighting over limited stocks.
The collectible monster charms, made famous by celebrities and TikTok influencers, have sparked a craze in the UK, with fans queuing overnight and crowding shops during new drops. The brand said it paused in-store sales until June to prevent further incidents, after eyewitnesses reported seeing scuffles and feeling unsafe.
Originally designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu dolls have become fashion accessories and cult favorites, often resold online at inflated prices.
While Pop Mart says it’s working on a “fairer” release system, many fans online were furious. Some blamed the company’s limited drops for creating the frenzy, while others pointed fingers at resellers who buy in bulk and sell at steep markups.
Pop Mart has promised a more orderly system when Labubu returns to stores in June.