Labubu is everywhere - from TikTok edits to custom BBLs, to collectors spending hundreds to make theirs one of a kind. In our previous Labubu episode, we spoke about the business behind Popmart and why it is so popular. In this episode, we go further into the consumer’s psyche, over a toy that has no practical purpose.
Tengian, Elody, and Phyllis discuss:
How customization, scarcity, and storytelling drive fan culture
The emotional psychology behind spending on toys with zero utility
How Pop Mart turned Labubu into its #1 revenue driver — surpassing Molly
Why fights are breaking out in stores… and what that says about hype economics
Timestamps
00:01:00: Why people are customizing and giving BBLs to Labubu
00:03:30: The cost of a single collectible (and its emotional value)
00:06:00: Why useless things make better business
00:09:00: Labubu surpasses Molly: Pop Mart’s growth explained
00:11:30 – International hype, bans, and resale frenzy
Featured materials:
E103: Behind Labubu Craze: Popmart Business explained
https://youtu.be/PLIq2UkvgwA?si=zYwDVzisoavFZgjU