London – Pop Mart, the renowned Chinese toy brand behind the viral Labubu dolls, has suspended sales across all 16 of its UK stores following multiple reports of unrest and crowd safety issues. The decision, taken as a precaution, comes amid intense fan demand driven largely by the toys’ celebrity status and popularity on social media platforms such as TikTok.

Labubu, created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, has gained immense traction as both a collectible and a fashion accessory. With retail prices ranging from £13.50 to £50—and rare editions commanding upwards of £100 in secondary markets—the demand has at times overwhelmed store operations.

A spokesperson for Pop Mart stated to the BBC: “Although no Pop Mart employees have been injured, we’ve chosen to act early and prevent any potential safety issues from occurring.” The brand expects to resume sales in June, after reassessing its in-store policies.

The UK disruption has drawn regional attention across ASEAN markets, where Pop Mart also maintains a growing presence. Industry observers in Southeast Asia note that similar trends of scarcity-driven hype, exacerbated by limited drops and influencer promotion, could spark logistical challenges for retailers unprepared for sudden consumer surges.

Customer Victoria Calvert described alarming scenes at Pop Mart’s Stratford location in London. “It was a pretty bad experience, it was really scary,” she said, noting she witnessed crowds shouting and even a confrontation between a customer and staff. Some had queued since 3 a.m., while others camped overnight, underlining the intensity of the craze.

Frustrations were further compounded by reports of resellers buying tickets—allowing access to the dolls—and flipping them for up to £150, fueling accusations of unfair access.

Across ASEAN, where youth demographics are highly connected and trend-sensitive, the case presents a cautionary tale. Retailers may need to explore more equitable inventory distribution systems and queue management strategies, particularly when handling viral or limited-edition products.

Pop Mart has committed to developing a fairer purchasing mechanism and emphasized that public safety remains its top priority.