The Hustle Daily Show Fine, we’ll talk about Labubu
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Aug 21, 2025 Labubu is projected to generate over $4 billion for Pop Mart this year, captivating collectors worldwide. The podcast dives into its viral ascent, fueled by K-pop endorsements and savvy marketing. Target faces challenges with leadership changes amid declining sales, while Applebee's aims to up its social media game. Learn about the enduring charm of toy trends, contrasting the lasting legacy of Beanie Babies with the fleeting fascination of Furbies. Plus, discover innovative retail strategies and the future of collectibles.
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Celebrity + Blind Boxes Drive Explosive Growth
- Pop Mart's Labubu surge shows how celebrity endorsements and collectibility can turn a niche toy into a multibillion-dollar hit.
- The combination of blind-box rarity and K-pop tastemakers created mainstream frenzy and huge resale premiums.
K-Pop Star Sparked Western Explosion
- The craze accelerated after Lisa from Blackpink posted images with a Labubu, sparking Western interest.
- That K-pop tastemaker effect mirrors other fan-driven product booms like BTS collaborations.
Numbers Show A Bigger Boom Than Beanie Babies
- PopMart expects over $4 billion in 2025 revenue with profits up 400% in H1, dwarfing past collectible crazes.
- Labubu resale averages around $121, roughly four times retail, fueling secondary-market excitement.