On Tuesday, Nov. 11, London shoppers got a taste of the Chinese mainland's Singles' Day shopping frenzy courtesy of AliExpress. In a buzzing livestream from east London, Pop Mart collectibles flew off virtual shelves as fans tuned in for four daily two-hour shows. 😲
Hosts Anna Williams and Mary He unboxed mystery blind boxes, revealing favorite figurines like Labubu, Crybaby and SkullPanda. The "why so serious" Labubu clown and blueberry-scented Hacipupu gummy bear dolls sold for 11 to 74 pounds, and the playful format kept viewers on the edge of their seats. 🎁
Sales data shows this trend is no joke. According to Bonnie Zhao, general manager at AliExpress UK, Pop Mart's UK sales jumped a staggering 1,500% in October year-on-year, while collectible toy revenues climbed 300% in the first half of 2025. 📈
AliExpress hired 23-year-old TikTok star Anna Williams, who boasts 1.3 million followers, to co-host the streams. The platform expects to ship around 10,000 toys by Friday, Nov. 14, to app users who've been glued to their screens. 📦
What started as a home-grown livestream shopping trend in the Chinese mainland is now catching on in the West. Brands like Zara and IKEA have experimented with the format, and industry veteran Carmen Muley notes that live shopping is boomingespecially after TikTok Shop launched in markets like Spain, Ireland, Italy, Germany and France. 🌍
From rare collectibles to fashion statements hung on backpacks, the Labubu craze shows how influencer-driven retail can turn a "blind box" into a viral moment. Who knew a little mystery could sell so much fun? 😎
Reference(s):
Labubu craze hits London on Singles' Day with AliExpress live shopping
cgtn.com
