The Labubu plush toy arrives in French-speaking Switzerland: “So cute!”
"Look how cute he is!" Two young friends were overflowing with love as they unwrapped the Labubu they had just bought each other this Friday in Lausanne. Labubu? That's the name for the little, mischievous-looking stuffed animals that you attach to your handbag. The phenomenon originated in Asia and, for the past few months, has been all the rage in the West and a hit on social media.
Manor had a good idea. The brand offered these little monsters for 40 francs this Friday at 2 p.m. as a national exclusive in its Geneva and Lausanne branches. Influencers teased the event on their platforms, and bingo: long queues formed in front of the shelves. In Geneva, the queue extended well into the street. In Lausanne, it was more modest, but the enthusiasm was definitely there. Teenage girls were overrepresented among the buyers, but several young boys were also in attendance.
Sales were strictly limited to two copies per person. Which is already quite a lot, as the manufacturer's website in Switzerland claims to have a waiting period of seven to ten days to obtain a copy, and waiting lists are established to meet demand.
Disappointment and frustration for British Labubu fans: sales of these small soft toys, which resemble a rabbit crossed with a monster, have been suspended in the shops that sell them in the United Kingdom, due to the crowds they cause.
With their flashy colors, these plush toys have become a viral fashion accessory in just a few weeks, worn by stars like Lisa from Black Pink, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa. The craze is so popular that Pop Mart announced Monday its decision to remove them from its stores in the United Kingdom, due to the long queues forming in front of the stores, which pose "security" problems. Online sales, however, are still ongoing. To cope with the influx of customers, the store had set up a ticket system with numbers allowing access to the store. "But some tried to buy them to beat others," explains Engie. "That's why we had to pause sales." (AFP)
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