Chinese collectable toy retailer Pop Mart is to open its biggest UK store in Liverpool as it agrees to take a 6,200 sq ft city centre unit. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool ONE has secured a 6,200 sq ft letting with Chinese toy retailer Pop Mart.
Founded in 2010, Pop Mart has expanded rapidly in recent years, starting with multiple stores in China before expanding to New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan, and the UK in 2022. In 2023 it opened outlets in Malaysia and France.
Pop Mart sells a collectable variety of toys in blind boxes (packaging that keeps its content hidden). They span a range of characters that include Hirono, Crybaby, Peach Riot, Kubo, Skullpanda, and the popular The Monsters, known as Labubus.
Analysts attribute the blind box strategy as key to the brand’s success, creating what they call “artificial scarcity” as buyers keep returning hoping to add to their collection. The FT said it had “elevated toy-buying to an act of trendy connoisseurship”.
Liverpool ONE owner Landsec said the outlet opening in Upper South John Street would be the largest in the UK to date. It is expected to open later this year.
Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE – Landsec, said: “With regular sell-out product launches, Pop Mart has proven a viral sensation, and the store is set to appeal to a wide range of consumers across the North West.
“The brand launching its biggest UK store yet will provide yet another distinct point of difference to the destination.”
Pop Mart continues a run of signings and openings at Liverpool ONE, which is celebrating its busiest year for store launches since 2008. Last month, MINISO made its Liverpool debut in a 3,000 sq ft store, following the arrivals of Sephora, TFG London and Uniqlo.
CBRE, Colliers and Time Retail Partners acted for Liverpool ONE. Cushman & Wakefield represented Pop Mart.
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Peter Shipman, managing director of Europe at Pop Mart, added: “Liverpool is my hometown, so I’m especially excited about this opening.
“We know we will be welcomed with open arms, and we can’t wait to deliver products featuring the characters our customers know and love to a whole new city.”