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Following the Prime Minister’s recent trip to China, seven new retail locations dedicated to Labubu dolls are slated to open across the UK this year.
Pop Mart, the Chinese toymaker behind the popular collectibles, has confirmed plans to establish a flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, alongside additional locations in Cardiff and Birmingham. The expansion will continue into 2026, with an anticipated 20 further stores opening across Europe.
This announcement forms part of a broader package of agreements secured by the UK government, encompassing sectors such as whisky and automotive, with officials estimating the total value of export deals at £2.2 billion.
The Prime Minister’s visit to China has drawn scrutiny from some quarters, citing concerns over the country’s human rights record and potential threats to UK national security.
Labubu dolls, characterized by their furry appearance and distinctive spiky-toothed grin, gained widespread popularity last summer, attracting a celebrity following that includes Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kim Kardashian.
Enthusiastic fans have readily queued to acquire the dolls, though their appeal remains enigmatic to some observers.
The dolls’ popularity has been touted as a symbol of Chinese soft power, with state news agency Xinhua highlighting Labubu’s ability to “show the appeal of Chinese creativity, quality and culture in a language the world can understand.”
Pop Mart founder Grant Wang, anticipating the creation of 150 new jobs in the UK, stated: “London stands at the heart of the global creative ecosystem, and we are thrilled to plant our European roots here.”
The Prime Minister’s trip marked the first visit to China by a UK leader in eight years, aimed at fostering improved relations and solidifying trade agreements with the world’s second-largest economy.
On the concluding day of his three-day visit to Beijing, he announced an estimated £2.2 billion in export deals, alongside new investment commitments.
These agreements include a reduction in tariffs on Scottish whisky exports to China, projected to benefit the UK economy by £250 million over the next five years, effective from Monday.
The Prime Minister also held discussions with the chairman of car manufacturer Chery, who confirmed the company’s intention to establish its European headquarters in Liverpool.
However, Conservative voices have questioned the national interest served by the Prime Minister’s trip, while Reform UK has urged a rejection of trade deals with China until the release of British citizen Jimmy Lai from imprisonment.
In response to critics, the Prime Minister asserted: “Engaging with China is how we secure growth for British businesses, support good jobs at home, and protect our national security.”
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