Labubu Craze Cools: Boom-and-Bust Lesson for Wholesalers

The Labubu craze is cooling, and it is repeating the same boom-and-bust pattern that Beanie Babies and Tamagotchi followed before it — that is the core claim of a September 2026 report from AOL. Published on 13 September 2026, the article argues that demand around LABUBU, the character from Pop Mart's THE MONSTERS universe, is already thinning in key markets including the United States, Europe and parts of Asia. For wholesale buyers, the practical implication is straightforward: hyped characters behave like short seasons rather than permanent product lines, so purchasing plans should blend trend SKUs with evergreen licensed IP.

Why the Labubu Cycle Looks Like Beanie Babies and Tamagotchi

Collector crazes tend to follow a recognisable sequence:

• Discovery: a character gains attention through social media, celebrity posts and unboxing videos.
• Scarcity: limited drops and blind-box mechanics make individual pieces feel hard to obtain.
• Speculation: resale listings climb and buyers purchase to flip rather than to keep.
• Normalisation: supply expands, novelty fades and resale premiums compress.

Beanie Babies in the 1990s and Tamagotchi in the late 1990s both ran this script: an intense peak, blanket media coverage, then a gradual decline once scarcity and novelty wore off. The AOL piece places LABUBU on the same curve, at the stage where general attention is thinning.

What the Cooling Means for Wholesale Buyers

For importers, distributors and retail chains, a softening trend is not automatically bad news — it changes the buying brief:

• Shorter order horizons. Trend characters are safer in smaller, repeatable orders than in large single commitments.
• Mix matters more. Pair a trend item with stable licensed IP — for example a Marvel Spider-Man Action Figure 18cm — so revenue does not depend on one viral character.
• Blind-box formats still work. Collectible formats such as the THE MONSTERS Hair Salon Series - Pendant Blind Box keep sell-through when fresh series are released regularly.
• Character classics endure. Iconic sculpts such as the LABUBU Jazz Figure 10cm can hold buyer interest long after peak hype, because collectors still want display pieces.

Sourcing Designer Toys with Lower Risk: hiketree

hiketree.com is a global B2B wholesale designer toys and IP collectibles platform serving buyers in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It is built for exactly the situation the Labubu cycle describes: buyers who need to test a trend quickly without over-committing capital.

• Low MOQ wholesale so retailers can trial new characters before scaling.
• Tiered pricing that improves as order volume grows.
• Worldwide shipping supporting cross-border retail programmes.
• OEM/ODM and custom logo services for private-label and exclusive ranges.
• Professional customer service — reach the team at victor@hiketree.com or WhatsApp +86 13735728377.

FAQ: Labubu, Trends and Toy Wholesale

Is the Labubu trend over?

No, but demand has clearly cooled from its peak according to the September 2026 AOL report. LABUBU and THE MONSTERS remain recognised IP with active collectors; the market is maturing rather than disappearing.

Why do collector toy booms collapse?

Beanie Babies and Tamagotchi peaked on scarcity and media attention, then declined once supply caught up and newer trends captured attention. Estimates of exact timing vary by market, but the pattern is consistent.

How can retailers reduce risk on trend-driven toys?

Start with smaller trial orders, mix trend SKUs with evergreen licensed characters, and work with suppliers that offer low MOQ wholesale and tiered pricing.

Where can buyers source designer toys and blind boxes in bulk?

hiketree.com supplies designer toys and IP collectibles worldwide, with OEM/ODM options and custom logo services. Contact victor@hiketree.com or WhatsApp +86 13735728377 for a quotation.

Conclusion: Buy the Trend, Keep the Balance

The Labubu story is less a warning about one character and more a reminder of how collectible markets work. Hype creates fast demand; supply and novelty decide how long it lasts. Buyers who combine short-cycle trend SKUs with dependable IP ranges — and who source through a flexible partner — are better positioned for both the peak and the plateau. To plan your next order, explore the range at hiketree.com/wholesale or email victor@hiketree.com.

Is the Labubu trend over?

No. Demand has cooled from its peak per the September 2026 AOL report, but LABUBU and THE MONSTERS remain recognised IP with active collectors — the market is maturing, not vanishing.

Why do collector toy booms collapse?

Beanie Babies and Tamagotchi peaked on scarcity and media hype, then declined once supply caught up and newer trends appeared. Exact timing estimates vary by market, but the pattern repeats.

How can retailers reduce risk when buying trend toys wholesale?

Order small trial quantities first, mix trend SKUs with evergreen licensed IP such as Marvel, and use suppliers offering low MOQ wholesale and tiered pricing.

Where can buyers source designer toys and blind boxes in bulk?

hiketree.com is a B2B wholesale platform for designer toys and IP collectibles, shipping worldwide with OEM/ODM and custom logo services. Contact victor@hiketree.com or WhatsApp +86 13735728377.