Trend-toy maker Pop Mart topped the shopping category in Apple’s US App Store on Friday, becoming the latest Chinese app to capture the hearts of American consumers, thanks to the popularity of its Labubu plush dolls.
In overall app rankings, Pop Mart surged to seventh place, according to online traffic data provider Sensor Tower. It dropped out of the top 25 by Sunday and ranked 21st among shopping apps.
The Pop Mart app’s dramatic rise coincided with the launch of Labubu 3.0, or “Big Into Energy” – a vibrant collection of seven Norse mythology-inspired “monsters” designed by Hong Kong-born artist Lung Ka-sing.
Shares of Beijing-based, Hong Kong-listed Pop Mart rose 12 per cent to HK$193 at the close of trading on Monday.
Pop Mart’s ascent in US download charts follows the growing popularity of other Chinese shopping apps, such as wholesale platform DHgate and Alibaba Group Holding’s Taobao marketplace. American consumers have been seeking direct access to low-cost Chinese goods amid tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
