BEIJING/NEW YORK:

A fuzzy, toothy-grinned creature called Labubu has quietly transformed shopping habits from US toy aisles to Chinese cultural hotspots, driving a wave of holiday-season consumer excitement that blends collectability, curiosity and the pursuit of personal happiness.

Across the US, retailers are scrambling to meet demand for blind box toys after Labubu's explosive popularity this summer pushed mystery collectibles firmly into the mainstream. These tiny mini monsters, often impossible to find on shelves, triggered a nationwide chase.

American consumers searching for authentic Pop Mart Labubus this season are mostly returning empty-handed, as the dolls sell out within minutes before reappearing on resale platforms for strikingly high prices.

Their scarcity has inspired ri

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