The Labubu phenomenon has enchanted the rest of Canada. This humble toy monster has morphed into a trendy status symbol, found on purses and belt loops across the nation. As every expert we spoke to cautioned, this trend might be running out of steam. Markus Giesler, a marketing professor at York University, said consumer fatigue is starting to creep in. He cautions that the difficulties in buying Labubu dolls may be a sign that their popularity is fading as summer approaches.
Labubu, which has taken the toy world by storm, has proven to be much more than an instant collectible. Customers are meeting these fuzzy little terrors everywhere in real life, frequently employing them in their day-to-day lives as a flexible fashion accessory. The popularity of Labubu has exploded, leaving scant availability in collectible shops, especially in Toronto.
Consumer Fatigue and Market Instability
With every day that passes with excitement about Labubu comes increasing consumer frustration. Giesler warns that emotional fatigue is setting in for many shoppers who are finding it increasingly challenging to collar these elusive dolls. He tells me that “there’s a little bit of speculation that the Labubu trend may be starting to run out of gas this summer.”
It hasn’t just been the purchase price that has become an obstacle for fans. Giesler elaborates, stating, “Consumers are increasingly fed up with the craze of the emotional buying experience. Number two, getting these dolls is becoming more and more difficult. Number three, there’s instability of the value; we don’t know how valuable the Labubu dolls will be next summer.”
Consumers need to be on the lookout when they buy Labubu. Avoid Counterfeits Be sure to purchase only from authorized retailers and authenticate your purchase using Pop Mart, the brand behind the toy. Scarcity has just made Labubu that much more coveted, forcing collectors to take extreme measures in order to obtain their very own dolls.
The Quest for Collectibles
Almost every Labubu fan out there is on a journey to find all the various paralleles of the toy series business. With others even indicating they’d travel halfway across the country to see their favorites. One shopper said, “I typically only come here specifically for the Labubus, so I go out of my way. I have to drive an hour and fifteen minutes to get here to purchase them.”
While some collectors are vintage optimistic that Labubu will be around decades from now, collector sentiment is divided. A shopper expressed optimism, stating, “I think it’s going to stay popular for a while but then, probably in a year from now, people aren’t going to be that into it.”
The Fashion Statement of 2025
As the fad has continued to shift, Labubu has made himself at home in Canadian culture for 2025. One shopper encapsulated this sentiment by declaring, “It’s like 2025 became the Labubu era as far as I’m concerned.” The plush toys have grown into more than just in-game collectibles. Today, they’re a popular, fashionable accessory that millions of style-conscious young consumers wear with pride and defiance.
