LABUBU Refrigerator Resale Price Plummets by 10,000 Yuan Overnight

From 2x Markup to Price Collapse: LABUBU Fridge Speculation Cools Down

Trendy toy giant Pop Mart recently launched its first-ever LABUBU co-branded mini refrigerator, officially priced at 5,999 yuan. Powered by the massive appeal of the LABUBU super IP, the product triggered a buying frenzy the moment it went on sale, with resale listings flooding major second-hand platforms at jaw-dropping markups.

According to earlier media reports, resale prices for the LABUBU fridge soared to as high as 19,999 yuan on the secondary market — more than double the official retail price. However, this "fever" didn't last long.

Prices Plunge During May Day Holiday

According to 21st Century Business Herald, a reporter found on May 1 that second-hand market prices for the LABUBU fridge had dropped significantly. Prices across platforms fell to the 7,000–10,000 yuan range, representing a decline of up to 10,000 yuan from the peak of nearly 20,000 yuan virtually overnight.

This means some speculators who bought at the peak could face losses of several thousand yuan. Even though the current 7,000–10,000 yuan range still exceeds the official retail price, the premium has been substantially compressed and speculative enthusiasm has clearly cooled.

The Double-Edged Sword of the IP Economy

In recent years, Pop Mart has been surging ahead in global markets on the strength of blockbuster IPs like LABUBU, expanding its business from traditional blind boxes into lifestyle product categories. The launch of this co-branded mini fridge represents yet another attempt at cross-category IP monetization.

However, the limited-release model driven by IP appeal inherently carries "speculative DNA." From sneakers and blind boxes to co-branded home appliances, similar price roller coasters are all too common:

• Initial launch: Supply shortages drive up markup expectations, attracting a flood of speculators
• Peak euphoria: Resale prices detach from the product's actual value, creating irrational premiums
• Return to rationality: Prices correct rapidly as supply increases or demand cools

The price trajectory of the LABUBU fridge has almost perfectly replicated this classic pattern.

Rational Consumption Remains Key

It's worth noting that this mini fridge is fundamentally a functional home appliance, and its core value should be assessed based on the user experience itself — not short-term speculative gains. For consumers who genuinely love the LABUBU IP, the price correction actually presents a more favorable buying opportunity.

Industry insiders point out that resale premiums on IP co-branded products tend to exhibit "short-term spike" characteristics, and blindly chasing highs carries significant risk. As Pop Mart continues to expand production capacity and distribution channels, scarcity expectations for similar products will gradually diminish.

For consumers, maintaining rational judgment and avoiding impulsive purchases at inflated premiums remains the wisest approach when facing IP collaboration hype.