Pop Mart Halts Labubu Doll Sales in UK After Frenzied Store Scenes and Customer Clashes
Fans of the wildly popular Labubu dolls have voiced frustration after toy maker Pop Mart suspended in-store sales across all 16 of its UK locations. The move follows chaotic scenes, including reports of fights and long overnight queues, as demand for the collectible dolls reached fever pitch.
The company confirmed to the BBC that sales will be paused until June “to prevent any potential safety issues” as it works on a fairer distribution system. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some fans applauding the move while others took to social media to vent their anger.
The furry monster-themed bag charms, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, have surged in popularity thanks to celebrity endorsements from stars like Rihanna and Dua Lipa, turning the once-niche item into a viral sensation on TikTok. Prices for Labubu dolls typically start around £13.50 but can skyrocket to hundreds of pounds on resale platforms like eBay and Vinted, especially for rare editions.
Shoppers described tense and even hostile experiences at Pop Mart outlets. One fan, Victoria Calvert, recounted visiting the Stratford store in London only to witness “big crowds,” shouting, and a physical altercation between a staff member and a customer. “It was really scary,” she said, adding that some fans had camped out overnight to secure a doll.
Resellers have become a particular point of frustration, with some customers accusing them of snapping up stock only to list dolls or even queue tickets online for inflated prices. “Buyers are re-selling them for £100 for one Labubu, which is unacceptable,” wrote one angry user on Instagram. Another echoed: “Resellers ruin everything.”
TikTok creator and Labubu fan Jaydee supported the decision to pause sales, blaming resellers for distorting the fun. “Now I can go into Pop Mart without having to queue,” she said.
Retail experts say Pop Mart’s limited releases and “blind box” approach—where buyers don’t know which version of the doll they’re getting—have fueled demand. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that the surging popularity has become difficult to manage. “Crowd control has become a costly headache. The chaotic scenes risk tarnishing the brand’s playful appeal,” she explained.
Others, like Sarah Johnson of Flourish Retail, believe the sales pause is a calculated move. “Scarcity is a powerful tool in collectible retail. This is a strategic decision.”
Pop Mart says it’s now designing a more “structured and equitable” release system and reiterated that Labubu will return to physical stores in June. While the company acknowledged the excitement surrounding the dolls, it also stressed that such large gatherings are “not the kind of customer experience it aims to offer.”
In the meantime, experts are warning buyers to be wary of counterfeit versions appearing online as demand continues to outstrip supply.
