**Queues Stretch Down Cardiff Streets as Labubu Dolls Sell Out in Record Time**
Early on Wednesday morning, a line of eager shoppers stretched down Queen Street in Cardiff, hoping to snap up one of the year’s most sought-after toys—the Labubu doll. Hailed as a global sensation, these quirky plush figures have taken the toy world by storm, prompting local retailers to brace themselves for frenzied scenes each time a new batch of dolls lands on shelves.
Despite persistent rain and cool temperatures, customers began gathering outside Forbidden Planet, the city’s popular pop culture store, as early as 7am. By the time the doors opened at 10am, the queue had swelled, wrapping around the block, with excited fans keen to get their hands on the plush “monster elf” toys. Within just 20 minutes of opening, the limited stock had entirely sold out—leaving many disappointed.
Labubu dolls first appeared a decade ago, the creation of Hong Kong artist Kasing Kyng for the animated show ‘The Monsters’. Distributed by Chinese retailer Pop Mart, these distinctive figures—complete with fuzzy fur, exaggerated pointy ears, wide eyes, and their trademark nine teeth—blend playfulness and oddity, attracting a broad following that spans all ages. In recent months, the surge of interest has turned Labubu from a niche collectable into a full-blown craze.
Demand for these toys has soared so dramatically in recent months that Pop Mart briefly suspended UK sales earlier this year, following reports of scuffles breaking out amongst shoppers battling over the last few boxes. Since then, new deliveries have become a special event, announced only through carefully monitored social media updates.
To keep the process orderly, Forbidden Planet enforced strict purchase guidelines for Wednesday’s sale: customers were permitted just one doll each, and no online, telephone, or mail reservations were allowed. Staff hoped this would give everyone a fair chance, but the limited supply meant many hopefuls still went home empty-handed.
Shop assistant Fredryck, who has witnessed the toy’s meteoric rise first-hand, said the atmosphere around Labubu releases is “unparalleled”, with people continuously popping in to enquire about availability. “It’s a bit of a phenomenon. Someone comes in every five minutes, asking after them,” he said. The collectible nature of the dolls, offered as “blind boxes” (meaning buyers don’t know which character variant they’ll receive), adds an extra thrill—mirroring similar crazes around trading cards and gacha toys.
Fredryck believes the current mania can be traced, in part, to social media. “When you see a celebrity like Rihanna taking Labubu everywhere, or influencers posting those unboxing videos, it goes huge almost overnight. Suddenly, everyone wants to join in.” He compared the excitement to the Pokémon boom of previous decades.
Each blind box retails for £26—a price that hasn’t deterred the fans, many of whom are eager to find rare or exclusive versions of the character. For every person baffled by the creature’s oddball looks, there are dozens more charmed by its unique design. Hundreds of the toys have already crossed Forbidden Planet’s sales counter this year alone.
For those lucky enough to secure a doll on Wednesday, the anticipation and early start were well worth it. “I really didn’t expect such a big crowd,” one collector shared after snapping up their prize. “It feels like being part of a secret club.”
As the trend continues to snowball, local retailers warn that forthcoming deliveries of Labubu dolls will remain subject to strict limits, and fans are encouraged to keep a close eye on announcements for their best shot at securing one. With social media interest at an all-time high and celebrity endorsements fuelling the flames, Cardiff appears set to remain at the epicentre of Labubu-mania for some time yet.
For many, the hunt for Labubu is about more than just toys—it’s about community, shared excitement, and the childhood joy of collecting. As demand shows no signs of waning, Cardiff’s toy collectors and curious parents alike will be anxiously awaiting the next big drop.