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“We originally hoped to become China’s Disney; now we hope to become the world’s Pop Mart,”

Founder and CEO, Wang Ning in a July 2025 interview this week
“We use China’s manufacturing industry and market to incubate artists from all over the world, and bring their creations back out to the world.” How well do you know Pop Mart?

Pop Mart is best known internationally for their "Labubu" dolls, and with international revenues (outside of China) surging 375% in 2024, the company realized sales of more than 5.07 billion RMB (USD $708.35 million.) Wang is highly optimistic on 2025, and projects "This year overseas sales will likely surpass domestic sales," with North America and Southeast Asia as top performing markets. High profile global fans include Rihanna and Lisa (K-pop group Blackpink.)

The interesting point about Pop Mart is that they are following a new trend:
While China has long been the world's factory, new brands like Pop Mart are increasingly choosing to export the BRAND rather than just the product. Pop Mart claims their success is due to their ability to "create a cultural phenomenon and an emotional resonance," tapping into a new global trend among young people of "emotional consumption," as explained by Emerald Gao at Fudan University in Shanghai.

The Pop Mart focus on intellectual property based business models, rather than simply manufacturing and exporting, is guiding the way China multinationals are viewing future expansion.
How well does your Strategy address the global bold growth of "made in China" brands around the world?
What do you think about the exponential trend of "Labubu," the stealthy "ugly cute" soft power coming to take on America?

Strategy is Mastery