Labubus are everywhere. So why are they so hard to get?
Watch out for fake 'Lafufus'
The latest viral trending product is a plush elf-like creature with pointy teeth that can fit in your hand.
Labubus, which are sold by Chinese retailer Pop Mart, aren't just hot collectibles. They're also a fashion accessory.
The dolls feature keychains that let people hang them on bags and outfits.
With 1.4 million videos that feature Labubus on TikTok and drops that sell out in seconds, the Labubu craze has become a global phenomenon.
But getting hold of one can be an expensive challenge.
How they went viral
The little monster creatures were created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in 2015.
Lung made a deal with Chinese toy store Pop Mart in 2019 to license Labubu toys. The first plush keychains were released in October 2023 as part of the Exciting Macaron series.
They come in blind boxes, meaning the doll is hidden so you don't know which one of the series you will get when you buy it. However, if you buy a full box set you are guaranteed not to get any duplicates.
In the past year, they have been spotted on the luxury bags of stars like singers Lisa from Blackpink, Rihanna and Dua Lipa.
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Labubus helped drive $1.8 billion US ($1.7 billion Cdn) in revenue for the Chinese retailer at the end of 2024, a 100 per cent increase over the previous year, according to the company's annual report.
The hype is intense.
In the United Kingdom, Pop Mart announced on its Instagram account on May 23 that it was temporarily stopping in-store sales amid long lines.
There were also reports of at least one physical fight.
Under that Instagram post, commenters criticized the company for not making enough and for not selling them more broadly.
They also complained that people were intentionally buying them all up only to resell them later at a higher price.
How to get them in Canada
Getting hold of a Labubu can be a challenge.
There are no physical Pop Mart stores in Canada, but there is an online shop.
As of June 5, all the Labubus on the Pop Mart Canada online store were sold out.
Labubus can also be found at a variety of stores, both official and unofficial, and through online resellers.
On Pop Mart's website, a regular Labubu plush costs around $30 Cdn but they often go for much more.
At Canadian retailer Showcase, for example, one Labubu plush blindbox will run you at least $90 Cdn.
Buyers need to be careful because there is an entire market of fake Labubus known as 'Lafufus.'
Social media videos show the differences between the real and fake dolls, with some of the fake ones having upside down faces and eyes that easily pop out.
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