China Pop Mart restock descends into chaos as shoppers grab blind boxes
A routine restocking of Pop Mart blind boxes in China spiralled into disorder as eager shoppers crowded counters, dented packaging and even hugged entire cartons to secure limited-edition plush pendants.
- A Pop Mart store in China descended into chaos during the restocking of Twinkle Twinkle Plush Pendant blind boxes.
- Shoppers aggressively grabbed the items, damaging boxes and ignoring staff instructions.
- The incident sparked online debate over consumer frenzy, safety concerns and crowd control.
CHINA: What was meant to be a routine product restocking quickly descended into chaos at a Pop Mart outlet in China, after a highly anticipated batch of Twinkle Twinkle Plush Pendant blind boxes triggered aggressive behaviour among eager customers.
A TikTok video posted on Thursday, 4 December, captured the tense scene inside the store, where a dense crowd gathered tightly around the counter, eyes fixed on a staff member preparing to restock the popular blind boxes.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, with shoppers visibly restless as they waited for the moment the items would touch the counter.
Blind Boxes Spark Aggressive Grabbing
In the clip, the staff member could be heard cautioning customers to wait until the blind boxes were properly placed on the counter before reaching for them. However, the warning was quickly ignored.
The moment a carton containing six blind boxes was set down, multiple hands immediately descended, grabbing at the items in all directions. The rush was so forceful that several of the blind boxes were visibly dented during the scramble.
The staff member proceeded to place another carton on the counter, hoping for a more orderly distribution. Instead, the second round escalated further.
One customer, rather than grabbing individual boxes, leaned forward and used his entire body to hug the carton, swiftly lifting all six blind boxes at once and pulling them away from the counter before others could react.
Why the Blind Boxes Are So Sought After
The Twinkle Twinkle Plush Pendant blind boxes are part of Pop Mart’s collectable toy range, featuring soft plush characters such as stars, animals and themed figures.
Each blind box contains a mystery design and includes a loop, allowing the plush to be attached to bags or keys.
Like many blind box products, scarcity and surprise play a major role in driving demand.
Limited restocks and the possibility of obtaining rare designs often fuel competitive behaviour, especially among collectors and resellers.
Online Reaction: Amusement, Concern and Criticism
The viral video quickly sparked heated discussion online. Many netizens expressed disbelief that shoppers would behave so aggressively over what are essentially small plush keychains.
Some questioned whether such items were truly worth fighting for, while others criticised the lack of self-control displayed in the video. Several users voiced concern for the staff member’s safety, noting that she remained remarkably calm despite being surrounded by an unruly crowd.
Others suggested practical solutions, such as implementing queue systems, purchase limits or ticketed restocks, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Interestingly, some commenters noted that the same product appeared far less popular in other parts of Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia, where no comparable scenes of chaos had been reported.
A Reflection of Consumer Frenzy
While no injuries were reported, the incident has reignited discussion about consumer culture, hype-driven buying and crowd management in retail spaces.
What began as a simple restocking became a vivid example of how scarcity and social pressure can quickly override courtesy and safety — turning plush toys into the centre of a chaotic scramble.
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