This toy has Aussies lining up before dawn—find out why it’s worth up to $3,000!
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What started as a quirky toy has quickly become a global sensation, leaving fans scrambling and resellers cashing in big time.
A bizarre yet adorable creature has ignited a frenzy, with shoppers lining up before dawn and some even forking out hundreds for a rare version.
What’s behind the sudden rise in popularity? Let's dive in.
A strange creature has taken over Australia, captivating collectors and casual shoppers alike.
Labubu, the quirky character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart, has sparked an unexpected frenzy.
Since the start of 2025, demand has skyrocketed, with people flocking to stores and online platforms, hoping to snatch up a limited edition.
Shoppers are drawn to the fact that Labubu toys come in ‘blind boxes’, meaning customers have no idea which figure they’ve bought until they open it—adding to the anticipation and excitement.
The miniature keychain versions typically cost $32, but resellers have been flipping them online for as much as $100—and some ultra-rare pieces can fetch as much as $300.
'We started seeing the market shift around the start of the year,' said George Kozma, owner of Waves, a Sydney-based store that sells streetwear and collectables.
'Social media blew up—TikTok, influencers, everyone was posting Labubus hanging off their handbags. Once that happened, we saw the demand and increased our stock levels. Now, we just can’t keep up.'
Waves, which has been operating since 2018, now sells between 300 and 400 Labubus each week.
The popularity has not just been among young fans but also older shoppers, with some women attaching the toys to high-end designer bags, such as Birkins and Louis Vuittons.
While the $32 toys are usually sold in-store for $75 due to limited availability, they’re often resold online for significantly higher prices.
George mentioned that the rare ‘secret’ brown Labubu, with a red nose, has become especially coveted, with its price reaching around $300 on the grey market.
'We had kids coming in during the school holidays, but we also have 50-year-olds who want to attach Labubus to their Birkins, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci bags to match their outfits,' George said.
Some fans skip the gamble and opt to pay $375 for a sealed box, which guarantees one of each colour—though the secret figure is still left to chance.
'Last weekend alone we sold about 24 sealed boxes,' George said.
And it’s not just the small figures causing a stir.
Waves has also sold large 700cm Labubu figurines, originally priced at $1,500, for as much as $3,000 each.
'There’s about 2,000 of the 700cm ones in the world,' George explained.
Pop Mart, which controls the distribution of Labubu, has limited the amount that customers can buy to prevent resellers from snapping up the toys in bulk.
However, this hasn’t stopped demand from soaring.
The company’s Australian online store regularly sells out, and when new drops are announced, long lines form outside stores before opening time.
George said the latest collection, Big Energy Vibes, which dropped on 25 April 2025, has already caused chaos worldwide, with collectors scrambling to get their hands on the limited edition figures.
'We’ve got about 100 boxes landing over the next 24 hours,' George said.
'People are already fighting over them. It’s just crazy.'
The Labubu craze taps into more than just the appeal of rare, collectible toys—it also plays on deeper emotional trends.
Each colour of the Labubu represents something different, like love, happiness, and loyalty.
'People really enjoy that kind of meaning, a bit like star signs,' George said.
'I think because Pop Mart restricts their stock levels so much, the hype around Labubu will only grow stronger over the next 6 to 12 months.'
The Labubu phenomenon has even led Waves to expand beyond retail.
To keep up with the surge in customers, the store launched a dessert bar and a burger truck in the back, offering shoppers a chance to grab a snack while they browse the collectibles.
'We’ve launched a dessert bar and a burger truck out the back,' George said
'Now people can shop until 11 pm on Thursday to Sunday nights, grab a smash burger, a dessert, and pick up their collectibles.'
Despite sourcing their Labubu stock from all over the world—including the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Vietnam — George said it’s still not enough.
'Last week alone we sold at least 50 cases,' he said
'Pre-orders for the new release have already gone off. It’s just getting bigger and bigger.'
As the Labubu craze continues to take over, there's much more to this global phenomenon than meets the eye.
Dive deeper into the story behind this quirky toy and why it's causing such a stir.
Check out the video to learn more!
Source: Youtube/ARTOYS TV
With Labubu’s craze showing no signs of slowing down, what do you think makes this quirky creature so irresistible? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
A bizarre yet adorable creature has ignited a frenzy, with shoppers lining up before dawn and some even forking out hundreds for a rare version.
What’s behind the sudden rise in popularity? Let's dive in.
A strange creature has taken over Australia, captivating collectors and casual shoppers alike.
Labubu, the quirky character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and sold by Pop Mart, has sparked an unexpected frenzy.
Since the start of 2025, demand has skyrocketed, with people flocking to stores and online platforms, hoping to snatch up a limited edition.
Labubu craze sweeps Australia as demand skyrockets in 2025. Image source: Pop Mart
Shoppers are drawn to the fact that Labubu toys come in ‘blind boxes’, meaning customers have no idea which figure they’ve bought until they open it—adding to the anticipation and excitement.
The miniature keychain versions typically cost $32, but resellers have been flipping them online for as much as $100—and some ultra-rare pieces can fetch as much as $300.
'We started seeing the market shift around the start of the year,' said George Kozma, owner of Waves, a Sydney-based store that sells streetwear and collectables.
'Social media blew up—TikTok, influencers, everyone was posting Labubus hanging off their handbags. Once that happened, we saw the demand and increased our stock levels. Now, we just can’t keep up.'
Waves, which has been operating since 2018, now sells between 300 and 400 Labubus each week.
The popularity has not just been among young fans but also older shoppers, with some women attaching the toys to high-end designer bags, such as Birkins and Louis Vuittons.
While the $32 toys are usually sold in-store for $75 due to limited availability, they’re often resold online for significantly higher prices.
George mentioned that the rare ‘secret’ brown Labubu, with a red nose, has become especially coveted, with its price reaching around $300 on the grey market.
'We had kids coming in during the school holidays, but we also have 50-year-olds who want to attach Labubus to their Birkins, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci bags to match their outfits,' George said.
Some fans skip the gamble and opt to pay $375 for a sealed box, which guarantees one of each colour—though the secret figure is still left to chance.
'Last weekend alone we sold about 24 sealed boxes,' George said.
And it’s not just the small figures causing a stir.
Waves has also sold large 700cm Labubu figurines, originally priced at $1,500, for as much as $3,000 each.
Waves sells rare Labubu figurines for up to $3,000. Image source: Tiktok/anniesbucketlist
'There’s about 2,000 of the 700cm ones in the world,' George explained.
Pop Mart, which controls the distribution of Labubu, has limited the amount that customers can buy to prevent resellers from snapping up the toys in bulk.
However, this hasn’t stopped demand from soaring.
The company’s Australian online store regularly sells out, and when new drops are announced, long lines form outside stores before opening time.
George said the latest collection, Big Energy Vibes, which dropped on 25 April 2025, has already caused chaos worldwide, with collectors scrambling to get their hands on the limited edition figures.
'We’ve got about 100 boxes landing over the next 24 hours,' George said.
'People are already fighting over them. It’s just crazy.'
The Labubu craze taps into more than just the appeal of rare, collectible toys—it also plays on deeper emotional trends.
Each colour of the Labubu represents something different, like love, happiness, and loyalty.
'People really enjoy that kind of meaning, a bit like star signs,' George said.
'I think because Pop Mart restricts their stock levels so much, the hype around Labubu will only grow stronger over the next 6 to 12 months.'
The Labubu phenomenon has even led Waves to expand beyond retail.
To keep up with the surge in customers, the store launched a dessert bar and a burger truck in the back, offering shoppers a chance to grab a snack while they browse the collectibles.
'We’ve launched a dessert bar and a burger truck out the back,' George said
'Now people can shop until 11 pm on Thursday to Sunday nights, grab a smash burger, a dessert, and pick up their collectibles.'
Despite sourcing their Labubu stock from all over the world—including the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Vietnam — George said it’s still not enough.
'Last week alone we sold at least 50 cases,' he said
'Pre-orders for the new release have already gone off. It’s just getting bigger and bigger.'
As the Labubu craze continues to take over, there's much more to this global phenomenon than meets the eye.
Dive deeper into the story behind this quirky toy and why it's causing such a stir.
Check out the video to learn more!
Source: Youtube/ARTOYS TV
With Labubu’s craze showing no signs of slowing down, what do you think makes this quirky creature so irresistible? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
