On June 28, 2025, over 160 fans queued from 5:30am at ION Orchard for Pop Mart’s latest Labubu drop — the “Wacky Mart” snack-themed blind box series. Some brought chairs. Many filmed TikToks. Within hours, the drop was sold out, and social feeds were flooded with ecstatic fans unboxing their mystery toys.

Welcome to Labubu Mania — a pop culture and retail phenomenon that’s not just adorable, but also packed with business and branding lessons for Singaporean employers and professionals alike.

Why Is Labubu So Popular?

1. The Power of Mystery & Scarcity

Labubu’s blind-box model taps into human psychology — people love surprise and collectibility. Rare variants fuel repeat purchases, while scarcity (limited drops, long queues) increases perceived value.

2. Pop Culture Fuel

Labubu exploded after celebrities like BLACKPINK’s Lisa were seen with it. TikTok and Instagram algorithms further amplified its viral reach, especially among Gen Z and young professionals.

3. Experience Over Product

At ION Orchard, the drop was more than just a purchase — it was a community event. Strangers bonded in the queue. Social creators captured every angle. Pop Mart turned a toy launch into a real-life activation moment.

Lessons for Singapore Businesses

✅ Create Scarcity, Strategically

Whether you're selling food, services, or fashion — the idea of “limited drops” or “exclusive early access” can drive interest. Scarcity builds urgency and desire.

✅ Turn Customers Into Advocates

Pop Mart didn’t just launch a product — it activated a movement. Companies can take cues by turning their loyal customers or employees into brand ambassadors.

✅ Make Moments, Not Just Products

The Labubu drop became an event. Brands can think about how to make launches, promos, or internal culture-building activities more experiential — online or offline.

✅ Embrace Community Hype

Pop Mart embraced resellers, fan artists, and even parody products like “Lafufu.” Instead of fighting the noise, they used it to amplify their message.

Lessons for Professionals in Singapore

🎯 Understand Emotional Economics

Labubu isn’t functional — it’s emotional. Workers in product, marketing, HR, and retail should study what drives emotion and identity, and how these impact buying decisions or workplace loyalty.

🎯 Think in Micro-Experiences

Whether it’s launching a product or running a recruitment drive, creating micro-moments of joy, curiosity, or status can be more effective than large campaigns.

🎯 Stay Culturally Fluent

Pop Mart’s success reflects a deep understanding of current trends. Workers who keep a pulse on what’s resonating (from anime to snack-themed collectibles) gain a strategic edge — especially in branding, marketing, UX, and retail.

The Numbers Behind Labubu Mania

• 160+ people queued before 6am at ION Orchard for the Wacky Mart release.
• Some rare Labubu toys are reselling for up to S$3,000.
• Pop Mart’s stock price has surged over 500% in the past year.
• Its The Monsters line, which includes Labubu, brought in US$87 million in the first half of 2024.
• Labubu-inspired bootlegs like “Lafufu” are gaining popularity in China and Southeast Asia — further proof of its cultural grip.

 

FAQs – Labubu, Pop Mart, and Business Insights

Q1: What is Labubu?

Labubu is a character from Pop Mart’s The Monsters series — a vinyl collectible toy launched via blind-box drops. It has since become a cult icon across Asia.

Q2: Why did people queue so early?

The blind-box drop featured exclusive snack-themed Labubu figures. With limited stock and high resale value, fans queued from 5:30am to secure them.

Q3: What’s the resale value of Labubu?

Rare editions resell for S$1,000–S$3,000 on platforms like Carousell, Taobao, and eBay.

Q4: What can businesses learn from Pop Mart?

Leverage emotional storytelling, design product scarcity, build communities, and turn transactions into experiences.

Q5: What skills should workers develop from this trend?

Brand storytelling, consumer psychology, trend forecasting, and community engagement are all highly relevant and transferable skills.

 

Leverage the Power of Culture and Creativity With Reeracoen

At Reeracoen, we help companies in Singapore and across APAC tap into the power of cultural fluency and trend-savvy talent — whether you’re hiring retail strategists, experiential marketers, or Gen Z brand builders.

👉 For Employers: Find the right talent to turn ideas into viral experiences
👉 For Job Seekers: Explore creative, trend-driven roles in marketing, product, and retail

 

 

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References

• The Straits Times – “Labubu mania: Japanese snack-themed launch draws queue at ION Orchard from 5.30am”
• Business Insider – “Inside the rise of Labubu and Pop Mart's Monsters line”
• Business Insider – “Labubu knockoff 'Lafufu' is taking over social media”
• Stomp Singapore – “Fans queue from 5:30am to snag new Labubu Wacky Mart dolls at ION Orchard”
• Wikipedia – Pop Mart and Labubu Overview
• POP MART Singapore – Official Social Media Postings