LONDON, 24 May 2025 — A leading UK retailer has suspended in-store sales of the popular Labubu toy amid growing safety concerns, following reports of thefts, assaults, and aggressive behaviour linked to the collectible’s global hype.
Labubu — a plush toy depicting a mischievous rabbit-like creature — has surged in popularity in recent months, partly due to endorsements from international celebrities like Rihanna and Dua Lipa. Its limited availability has driven fans and resellers from around the world to queue overnight at Pop Mart’s flagship stores in London.
“This toy has fans from all over the world, especially from countries where it’s not sold,” said Engie, a supervisor at Pop Mart in London. “People come to London just to buy them. But often they end up disappointed — there’s nothing left because of the resellers, or worse, they get caught in violent scenes.”
Engie described chaotic crowds and rising tensions despite the store implementing a ticketing system to manage demand. “Some people try to buy those tickets from others, and if the person refuses, they’re threatened. Even our staff get threatened and, sometimes, physically assaulted.”
Pop Mart officially announced the suspension of physical sales on its Instagram page, stating that the decision was made “to ensure a safe, fair, and comfortable shopping experience for everyone – both customers and staff.”
The global frenzy around Labubu has also sparked a wave of thefts and assaults. In Singapore, CCTV footage reportedly captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine, as reported by AsiaOne. In the U.S., The Sun detailed a case in California where a car was broken into and three Labubu toys were stolen.
“It’s just not safe to carry one around anymore,” said 30-year-old UK collector Rayy Raphael, who noted that some rare Labubu dolls are now selling for as much as £500 on the secondary market. “There are TikTok trends showing people getting punched over them.”
Another fan, 24-year-old Mia Mills, expressed frustration at the scarcity. “It’s very rare to even find one in stores now.”
With tensions rising and global demand intensifying, it remains unclear when — or if — in-store sales of Labubu toys will resume in the UK.
