Chinese collectible giant Pop Mart has sparked a fresh buying frenzy after launching a limited-edition Labubu-themed mini fridge, which sold out within seconds and quickly appeared on resale platforms at more than ten times its original price.
The product, part of the “THE MONSTERS” lifestyle series, was released on 30 April at a retail price of 5,999 yuan (about RM3,900 / US$883). Each unit came with an individual serial number and was strictly limited to just 999 pieces per design, with two versions released globally, bringing total availability to only 1,998 units.
Despite the premium pricing, demand far outstripped supply. More than 60,000 people reportedly queued online ahead of launch, resulting in an immediate sell-out and triggering a wave of speculative resale activity.
Generally, limited-edition drops linked to popular intellectual property have become a major force in China’s collectibles market, where scarcity and branding often push resale values far beyond original retail prices.
On secondary platforms such as Dewu and Xianyu, listings for the Labubu fridge surged rapidly, with asking prices ranging from around 6,999 yuan (RM4,550) to as high as 66,666 yuan (RM43,500). One confirmed resale transaction reportedly reached 20,999 yuan (RM13,700) for a white “House of the Monsters” edition, while top listings climbed above 22,000 yuan (RM14,400).
Industry observers noted that the product’s appeal lies less in its function as a household appliance and more in its positioning as a collectible art object. Pop Mart has described the fridge as a new physical “carrier” for its intellectual property, extending its characters into lifestyle-based merchandise.
From a technical perspective, the mini fridge offers a total capacity of 121 litres, including a small 15-litre freezer compartment. However, its design has been heavily emphasised, featuring detailed character artwork, embossed branding, and decorative elements inspired by Labubu and other figures from the “THE MONSTERS” universe.
While its practical use is similar to a standard compact refrigerator, the strong branding and limited availability have effectively transformed it into a collectible item, fuelling continued hype and price speculation across online resale platforms.
