Overview

• Chinese authorities report more than 10,000 intercepted shipments containing nearly 39,000 suspected counterfeit items in the first half of the year, with Shanghai police arresting eight people and seizing 5,000 fake Labubus valued at roughly €1.5 million.
• German toy retailers in the Bad Tölz–Wolfratshausen area say demand jumped this summer, yet most stock consists of cheaper copies known as “Lafufus” priced around €18 to €22.
• Authentic Pop Mart figures remain difficult to obtain in Germany beyond the brand’s Berlin store, and originals are being offered online at steep resale prices.
• Pop Mart’s limited-run, blind-box strategy and influencer unboxing on TikTok and Instagram powered the surge, with Forbes cited as reporting about $810 million in revenue for a single series in the first half of 2024.
• The trend has expanded into cultural merchandising, including religious-themed versions and limited editions sold in the Louvre’s museum shop.