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Chinese Toy Maker Scores Big in British Market with Viral Dolls and Prime Minister's Backing.
Moving into the UK market with the same level of excitement and commitment as major global sports transfers, Chinese toy manufacturer Pop Mart has announced plans for seven additional outlets for their popular Labubu dolls in 2020; they will be opening flagship stores on Oxford Street in London, along with stores in Birmingham and Cardiff. The first flagship location will be on Oxford Street, as that is where the majority of travel tourists visit, giving them a prime location to experience Pop Mart's product for the first time. Following this launch, Pop Mart has projected a continued push into Europe, opening 20 additional stores throughout various European countries by 2026, expanding on their current success as a brand.
The founder of Pop Mart, Grant Wang, believes that the United Kingdom is the centre of the world's creative industries, saying, "The world has a champion in London, so we will be a champion by opening our first store in London." This expansion will result in approximately 150 new jobs in the UK; the equivalent of acquiring a high-quality player to their business team.
In addition to these high-profile store openings, Pop Mart's expansion is coming shortly after the Prime Minister of the UK, Sir Keir Starmer, completed an official trip to China that resulted in £2.2 billion of export agreements. Included in these agreements were significant reductions in tariffs on exports of Scottish whiskey, as well as a commitment from Chinese automotive manufacturer Chery to base its European headquarters in the UK.
Celebrity endorsements such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian and many more have contributed to their cultural significance, demonstrating how they have established themselves with an ever-growing legion of fans across the globe. The Labubu dolls have also developed a strong following within the community through their unique designs and signature ‘spikey’ look.
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