You’ve probably seen people hanging a fluffy, toothy toy on their bag. Well, it’s from a brand called PopMart. PopMart has been taking the world by storm with their blind boxes of Labubu, Baby Molly, and Skullpanda. With not many stores in Southern California, the addition to The Shops at Santa Anita was highly anticipated after its “supposed” opening in spring.
The company was first founded in 2010 and skyrocketed in popularity after being promoted by Lisa from Blackpink. Now, years later, the brand’s expansion into the U.S. has been strategic and rapid, with stores at Westfield Century City and the Glendale Galleria. In this billion-dollar market, the company has grossed over 2 billion in the first half of 2025, with analytics showing it can exceed over 4 billion.
After a soft opening at The Shops at Santa Anita on Aug. 25, the store is located on the first floor, right next to Pandora, at a main walking intersection of the mall. Looking at it from the outside, the store has adapted to the color scheme and environment in the surrounding area of gray and white.
While this all seems like sunshine and rainbows, sophomore Francisco Amezcua stated that, “It’s boring, it’s full of people just window shopping and not buying anything, so they just get in your way; it’s really overrated.”
With PopMart’s age demographic on their app only ranges between ages 16-34. The company has faced criticism of its Labubu blind boxes for promoting addiction to children and its highly inflated prices on secondary markets.
Despite the controversy, the thrill of discovery keeps people hooked. As sophomore Darren Lei puts it, “I was so excited as I opened the box and discovered that I had pulled the ultimate secret rare labubu. My life’s mission was complete and I screamed out in joy. It’s just so fun to buy a box and be surprised with what’s inside!”
PopMart blind boxes rely on the same excitement of opening a pack of trading cards or scratching a lottery ticket. The randomness and probability create suspense to keep fans coming back for the adrenaline of surprise. With the chance of pulling a secret in these blind boxes, a 1 in 72 or a 1 in 144 for select boxes, it makes PopMart not just about toys, but the emotional rollercoaster tied to opening each and every box.
Overall, despite the divide in opinion, one thing has been clear. PopMart developed a highly effective formula to generate customer demand. Whether it is through clear marketing from fans or the simple thrill of opening a blind box, the brand still continues to enchant a global audience.
