Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2025
Counterfeit Labubu products
Fake Labubu plush toys, often called Lafufus, were reported in the United States and elsewhere. Consumer warnings focused on inferior materials and construction, inaccurate branding, and possible choking hazards. Pop Mart has encouraged customers to buy through official channels and use product-verification details to distinguish genuine products.
2022
Pop Mart-KFC co-branded blind box meals criticized by China Consumers Association for inducing excessive food consumption
In January 2022, KFC and Pop Mart launched DIMOO blind box meals, and some consumers bought repeatedly or in large quantities to collect the complete set of toys. The China Consumers Association publicly criticized the promotion for inducing excessive consumption and causing food waste. This entry is a joint marketing controversy and does not treat the consumers association's comments as a criminal or administrative conviction.
2022
Chinese consumer group calls for boycott of KFC meal promotion
Public backlash
The China Consumers Association called for a boycott of a KFC meal promotion involving collectible Pop Mart Dimoo dolls, saying it encouraged food waste and excessive purchases. The association cited a customer who bought more than 100 meals to collect the toys. KFC and Pop Mart had not immediately responded to the BBC's requests for comment.
Source excerpt
KFC "used limited-edition blind box sales to induce and condone consumers' irrational and excessive purchase of meal sets, which goes against public order, good customs and the spirit of the law", the state-affiliated CCA said in a statement.
A top Chinese consumer group has called for a boycott of a KFC meal promotion, saying it encourages food waste.
KFC launched the promotion last week with Pop Mart, a Chinese toy maker known for its mystery boxes.
2022
KFC faces boycott over toy promotion in China
Public backlash
KFC faced scrutiny and a boycott in China over a promotion offering collectible Dimoo toys with meals. The China Consumers Association criticized the promotion for encouraging excessive food purchases and food waste.
Source excerpt
KFC is under scrutiny in China over the popularity of an anniversary promotion that allowed customers to collect limited-edition toys with their meals,
The fried chicken chain partnered with Chinese toy maker Pop Mart to give away Dimoo toy dolls with select KFC orders in celebration of the brand's 35th anniversary of its first restaurant in China.
"KFC, as a food operator, uses the limited-edition blind box sales method to induce and condone consumers' irrational and excessive purchase of food packages," the organization wrote, which is "contrary to public order, good customs and the spirit of the law."
2021
Customers report unexpected Pop Mart bundle charges and refund disputes
Issue disclosure
A news report described customers saying that purchases through Pop Mart's WeChat mini-program unexpectedly switched from a single 99-yuan draw to a full bundle costing thousands of yuan, and that customer service refused refunds. The report also said consumers organized a group to seek resolution. Pop Mart denied the consumers' concerns.
Company response
Denial — 泡泡玛特
不过，对于消费者的质疑，泡泡玛特方面予以否认。
Source excerpt
不过，对于消费者的质疑，泡泡玛特方面予以否认。
在某社交平台上，和谷先生遭遇类似的消费者还有不少，他们自发组织了维权群，群里有30多位成员，各自晒出了通过泡泡玛特微信小程序付款的截图，均为全包，付款额度数千元不等，其中一位消费者一次性最高消费近万元。
谷先生认为这样的情况涉嫌诱导消费。
2020
Jinan store resold blind boxes after opening and selecting items; brand confirms staff violations
In December 2020, consumers complained that Pop Mart blind boxes at Jinan MixC had been opened and then resold. Caixin reported that a review of the brand's surveillance footage confirmed that five store employees improperly opened 11 blind boxes and then selected and bought them, involving the opening and repackaging of boxes. The company took action against the employees and the store; the incident was limited to that store, and no inference is made that similar practices existed across the entire network.