World News for Students of English

03-10-2025 15:00

Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company, has achieved global success with its character Labubu.

The company’s strategy is inspired by Disney, aiming to turn short-term popularity into long-term growth. Like Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Labubu is becoming a strong intellectual property with potential for theme parks, entertainment, and merchandise. Pop Mart doesn’t want only one big hit. Instead, it hopes to create five to ten characters with similar global potential. The company is now more valuable than major toy makers like Hasbro, Mattel, and Sanrio.

Labubu’s success has also increased competition in China’s art toy industry, where many new companies and artists are trying to enter the market. Pop Mart’s ‘blind box’ model and focus on young women helped its growth, but critics say it still depends too much on Labubu. Analysts note the firm faces challenges if it wants to repeat Disney’s success, but its fast rise shows strong foundations.

Difficult words: intellectual property (ideas, designs, or creations that belong to a person or company), potential (the ability or chance to grow, succeed, or become something in the future), foundation (the main base or starting point of success).

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