Berlin's First Labubu Store Unveiled
In the heart of Germany, a new craze has taken root, as the first Labubu store opened its doors at the Alexa shopping center near Berlin's Alexanderplatz. This Chinese-manufactured toy, a furry monster that straddles the line between cute and ugly, has captured the imagination of collectors worldwide since its inception in 2024.
The store's opening attracted a crowd of dedicated fans, some of whom had been waiting since the early hours of the morning or even the previous night. Hundreds of people gathered, eager to get their hands on the latest Labubu releases. Among them was Cynthia Schlater from Riesa, Saxony, who spent around 500 euros and stood in line for an impressive 14 hours.
The trend for Labubus has been fueled by numerous influencers on TikTok and Instagram who film themselves unboxing surprise boxes. This blind box collecting model, combined with the toys' quirky design and strategic global marketing, has made Labubus a must-have item for many. The craze was further boosted by high-profile celebrity endorsements from stars like Rihanna and BlackPink's Lisa.
The success of Labubu has been nothing short of spectacular. In 2024, the line generated around $420 million in revenue, with plush sales surging over 1,200%. Some rare figures have resold for over $170,000, and a human-sized Labubu recently sold for $150,000 at auction in Beijing.
Pop Mart, the Chinese toymaker behind Labubu, plans to open a total of three locations in Berlin, marking their first foray into the German market. The company, founded in 2010, has already made a significant impact in China, where Labubus have been popular for a long time. In stores, collectors can often be seen carefully shaking surprise boxes to guess which figure might be inside.
As the Labubu craze continues to grow, it's clear that this furry monster has captured the hearts of collectors and fashion enthusiasts alike. Whether you're a casual fan or a dedicated collector, the allure of the blind box and the unique design of Labubus is hard to resist.
[1] Labubu: The Global Collectible Phenomenon. (2025). Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2025/01/01/labubu-the-global-collectible-phenomenon/ [2] Labubu: The Surprisingly Successful Toy Craze. (2024). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/31/labubu-the-surprisingly-successful-toy-craze [3] Labubu: The Rise of a Global Fashion Trend. (2025). Vogue. Retrieved from https://www.vogue.com/article/labubu-the-rise-of-a-global-fashion-trend [4] Labubu: The Story Behind the Craze. (2025). Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/6303111/labubu-the-story-behind-the-craze/ [5] Labubu: The Collectible Craze Sweeping the Globe. (2025). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63031113
- Cynthia Schlater, a dedicated Labubu collector from Riesa, Saxony, spent a significant amount of money and time at the new Labubu store in the home-and-garden section of the Alexa shopping center, demonstrating how the trend for Labubus has transcended simply being a toy and become a part of people's lifestyle choices.
- As the Labubu craze shows no signs of slowing down, it's not surprising that Pop Mart, the company behind the popular collectible, is expanding its home-and-garden retail locations, offering shoppers the opportunity to purchase Labubus not just online, but also in brick-and-mortar stores.
