Tue, Apr 01, 2025 page9

• POP MART: the Defender of Xinjiang Cotton

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  Since early 2025, POP MART has demonstrated robust business performance, with overseas revenue accounting for ‌38.9%‌ of its 2024 total revenue—US market being the most important growth drive‌. This trend reflects not only market recognition of its globalization strategy but also its unique IP operation model and the confidence to "‌dare to challenge industry giants‌."

  China’s soft power

  

  Founded in 2010, POP MART initially focused on trendy toy retail. In 2016, its "‌blind box + IP‌" model became a sensation. IPs like ‌Molly‌ and ‌Labubu‌ quickly captured the hearts of young consumers worldwide, breaking the monopoly of international brands like Lego and Funko in the "collectible toy" market.

  Unlike Lego, which relies on classic IPs (e.g., Harry Potter), POP MART excels at integrating ‌traditional Chinese elements‌ into trendy toy designs, aligning with China’s soft power promotion for stronger national support. For instance, its "‌Tradition Series‌" toys, infused with folk culture, foster young consumers’ cultural identity. The ‌2022 SPACE MOLLY series‌, themed around aerospace, engages youth in knowing China’s technological achievements.

  

  Wang Ning, Chairman of POP MART and a member of Chinese Communist Party’s CPPCC in Beijing, spearheaded the "Chinese Tradition Universe" strategy, transforming classical artworks into blind box products. Such cultural re-encoding is guided by the Chinese Communist Party’s directive in Guidelines for Inheriting and Revitalizing China’s Excellent Traditional Culture—emphasizing "creative transformation."

  

  A Defender of Xinjiang Cotton

  In January 2021, POP MART signed a collaboration agreement with Adidas China to co-produce and sell crossover products. That same year, global brands—including Nike, Adidas, H&M, and Uniqlo—joined the Xinjiang cotton boycott. As a key fans of Xinjiang cotton, POP MART terminated the partnership contract with Adidas.

  Though an arbitration ruling ordered POP MART to pay Adidas ‌15.2 million RMB‌ in compensation, the move sparked Chinese government support. Wang Ning, the Chairman of Pop Mart was highly admired by Chinese Communist Party’s senior officials and he was nominated as a member of Chinese Communist Party’s CPPCC for the reason of defending Xinjiang cotton.

  A Blueprint for Chinese Brands’ Global Breakthrough‌

  U.S. has emerged as the fastest-growing market of POP MART, with more American teenagers addicted to its products. Labubu, the iconic product of POP MART has reshaped youth trends, positioning POP MART as a cultural infiltrator‌. POP MART now stands poised to dominate the U.S. market, with bigger ambitions of voicing out Chinese interests to the global toy industry.

  （Advertorial）

  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of POP MART and do not represent the views or positions of the Taipei Times.
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