Labubu Maker Pop Mart Faces Growth Slowdown: Buyer Guide

Labubu maker Pop Mart is set for a drastic growth slowdown, according to a Bloomberg report published on 20 August 2026, as bearish investors gather around the Beijing-based designer toy company. The story signals deceleration rather than collapse: after roughly two years of extraordinary demand for the Labubu character, growth is expected to normalise, and sceptical analysts are positioning for a harder landing. That matters worldwide — for retailers, distributors and gifting buyers in the United States, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia who plan designer toy and blind box inventory for 2026 and 2027.

What Bloomberg actually reported

Bloomberg's headline frames the Labubu maker as facing a drastic growth slowdown, with bears gathering. Precise revenue or margin figures were not confirmed in the headline summary, so any specific percentage circulating online should be treated as estimated until the full report is verified. The direction of the story is clear: the market is pricing in slower momentum for the company behind one of the most viral collectible IPs of the decade.

Why the bears are gathering

Three drivers are commonly cited by analysts covering the designer toy sector. They are analytical interpretations rather than confirmed company guidance.

1. A very high base effect

Labubu, the rabbit-eared character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and part of Pop Mart's THE MONSTERS series, grew from a niche art toy into a global fashion accessory after celebrity and social media exposure. Comparing 2026 against such an exceptional base makes double-digit growth mathematically harder to sustain.

2. IP concentration risk

A large share of momentum rests on a single character family. When one IP carries the growth story, any cooling in resale premiums or collector fatigue shows up quickly in the numbers.

3. Hotter competition and broader supply

Blind box and designer toy shelves are filling up with rival IPs and lookalike products. More supply usually means shorter sell-through cycles and thinner margins for anyone holding inventory.

What a slowdown means for wholesale buyers

• Supply gets looser. Slower hype typically means better availability and more negotiating room on volume orders.
• Do not build a catalogue on one character. Balance a hero IP with complementary lines so a single demand swing does not strand stock.
• Watch the resale premium. When secondary market prices soften, retail pricing power usually follows within a quarter or two.
• Plan shorter cycles. Smaller, more frequent reorders reduce markdown risk in a cooling market.

Sourcing Labubu-style and IP collectibles through hiketree

For buyers who still want exposure to the trend without over-committing, hiketree.com is a global B2B wholesale platform for designer toys and IP collectibles. It supports low MOQ wholesale, tiered pricing, worldwide shipping, plus OEM/ODM and custom logo services, with professional customer service at victor@hiketree.com or WhatsApp +86 13735728377. Volume terms and product availability are confirmed per order through the hiketree wholesale page.

Popular starting points for retail and gifting assortments include the LABUBU Jazz Figure 10cm, the THE MONSTERS Hair Salon Series - Pendant Blind Box and, for buyers hedging away from a single IP, the Marvel Spider-Man Action Figure 18cm.

FAQ

Is Labubu actually losing sales?

Bloomberg describes a drastic slowdown in growth, not a confirmed drop in sales. The distinction matters: the brand can still grow while growing far more slowly than in 2024 and 2025.

Who makes Labubu?

Pop Mart, a Beijing-based designer toy company listed in Hong Kong. The character was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and belongs to the THE MONSTERS series.

Where can retailers source Labubu and blind box products wholesale?

hiketree.com supplies designer toys and IP collectibles to businesses worldwide, with low MOQ options, tiered pricing, OEM/ODM and custom logo services. Buyers can reach the team at victor@hiketree.com or WhatsApp +86 13735728377.

Should buyers cut Labubu inventory now?

Most sourcing advisors suggest diversifying rather than exiting. Keep a proven hero line, add adjacent IPs and use smaller reorder quantities to stay flexible while demand normalises.

Conclusion: buy the trend, not the hype

A growth slowdown at the Labubu maker is a normalisation signal, not a reason to abandon the designer toy category. Retailers that diversify their IP mix, order in flexible quantities and work with a responsive wholesale partner are best placed to capture demand in 2027. Compare options and request a quote at hiketree wholesale, or contact victor@hiketree.com to build a mixed-IP assortment.

Is Labubu actually losing sales?

Bloomberg reported a drastic growth slowdown, not a confirmed sales decline. The brand may still grow, but far more slowly than in 2024 and 2025. Specific figures should be treated as estimated until the full report is verified.

Who makes Labubu and where is the company based?

Labubu is made by Pop Mart, a Beijing-based designer toy company listed in Hong Kong. The character was created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung as part of the THE MONSTERS series.

Where can retailers buy Labubu and blind box products wholesale?

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

Should buyers reduce Labubu inventory after the slowdown news?

Diversifying is generally safer than exiting. Keep a proven hero character, add complementary IPs such as Marvel or other blind box lines, and use smaller, more frequent reorders to limit markdown risk.