Some Labubus. petanicupu/Shutterstock.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was the first to visit China in eight years, taking the opportunity to warm up frosty relations in meetings with Xi Jinping and announce £2.2bn in export deals. He brought Scottish Whisky, and in return brings home an army of Labubus, the fuzzy, snaggletoothed elves in high demand in the west. There will soon be seven Pop Mart shops opening across the U.K.

Chinese toy maker Pop Mart has confirmed it will open a flagship shop on Oxford Street in London’s West End, as well as shops in Cardiff and Birmingham, before opening 20 more shops in Europe in 2026. The announcement is part of a package of deals announced by the UK government, including on whisky and cars, which officials claim is worth £2.2bn in export deals. … their popularity has been a boon to Chinese soft power, with state news agency Xinhua saying Labubu "shows the appeal of Chinese creativity, quality and culture in a language the world can understand".

Labubus seem readily available now to the point where Lafufus are as cheap as any other tat at the market. If it’s still big now, I’ll give it six, seven months before it goes the way of Beanie Babies!

Previously: • Thieves execute a Labubu heist • British shoppers fight over Labubu charms • Labubu sues 7-Eleven over Lafufu counterfeits

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