This Fall marked a milestone for Minnesota and collectible pop culture as POP MART, the global sensation in designer toys, brought its imaginative world to the iconic Mall of America. The brand’s first Minnesota store, soft-launched in late October with a grand opening, IP-driven collectibles, and playful blind box culture are reshaping the global leisure landscape.
Viral Chinese Toy Phenomenon Lands in the Midwest
Founded in 2010 in Beijing, POP MART has built a dedicated following by fusing design, youth culture, and surprise through characters like Labubu, Molly, Skullpanda, Crybaby, The Monsters, and many more. With over 350 brick-and-mortar locations, the brand is rapidly expanding, cultivating communities from Shanghai to London and now the heart of the American Midwest.
Step into Minnesota’s first-ever @popmart store and explore the world of designer toys, art collectibles + fan-favorite characters,” declared Mall of America’s official launch notice.
Ashley Hofmann, Leasing Director at Mall of America, stated that POP MART’s innovative retail concept and globally beloved characters inject a fresh, creative energy into our tenant lineup. At Mall of America, we strive to curate a vibrant mix that excites and inspires our guests, and POP MART fits that vision perfectly. They’re not only a global brand but also a pioneer in transforming how people shop and connect with products.
Inside the Store: Exclusive Drops, Character Culture, and Community
The new Mall of America location delights collectors and the toy-curious alike with immersive visual displays, surprise blind box merchandising, and IP-centric shopping:
- Exclusive figure drops and first-access releases, including viral favorites like Labubu and limited-edition Halloween Hirono sets.
- Themed art installations and experiential displays, echoing POP MART’s pop-up triumphs in Shanghai, LA, London, and beyond.
- In-store events, social sharing, and collectible culture that brings the global POP MART fanbase together in person, creating a new social ritual for fans in the Twin Cities region.
“The Mall of America is an iconic retail location and we are excited to bring the joy of Pop Mart to the Minnesota community,” said Pop Mart PR & Celebrity Relations Manager Marco Negrete, who is based in Los Angeles.
Designer Toy Boom: POP MART’s Global IP Expansion
POP MART’s U.S. debut is part of a worldwide trend:
- Overseas sales surged 480% in Q1 2025; Americas sales jumped 900%, helping drive the brand’s valuation.
- The company is recognized by TIME’s 2025 Most Influential Companies and has plans to expand to Paris, Milan, Sydney, and New York before year-end, targeting over 200 international stores.
“Its long-term success will depend on how well it balances creative innovation with operational scale, and how it localizes globally while staying culturally relevant in China,” says Lisa Zhang.
Why Now? From Blind Box Craze to Cultural Movement
POP MART taps into several converging consumer trends: Blind box collecting offers the thrill of randomness, nostalgia, and catch-’em-all appeal. Collaborations with top designers, digital artists, and pop icons keep collections fresh and relevant.
Social media unboxings and character reveals amplify hype, making every store launch an event, and every collectible a status symbol.
Labubu went viral after people spotted Rihanna, K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink, and Dua Lipa flaunting them. Buying a Labubu and any other Pop Mart toy is a gamble. They’re sold in ‘blind boxes,’ so each purchase is a mystery, and that adds to the excitement
Retailtainment, Local Energy, and the Future
The POP MART opening at the Mall of America is both a testament to Minnesota’s vibrant retail culture and a signal of what the future holds for global ‘retailtainment’ and cross-cultural brand growth.
From exclusive character drops to in-store events, and viral fan-driven content, POP MART makes every visit to the mall feel like a creative festival, and draws collectors across age groups and borders.
