Iconic retailer POP MART has officially launched in Canada with the company’s first store at CF Richmond Centre near Vancouver and a senior executive describes the Canadian market as vibrant and diverse, suiting the brand’s further expansion in the country.
“POP MART was founded in 2010 in Beijing by entrepreneur Wang Ning. The brand began as a general lifestyle store. In 2014, it pivoted to focus exclusively on designer toys and developing original IPs,” Luis Barrientos, Executive VP of Business Development, POP MART Americas, said in an interview with Retail Insider.
“This model quickly gained traction, helping POP MART become a global leader in art toys and pop culture collectibles. Original IPs such as Labubu, SKULLPANDA, and MOLLY have built a passionate fan base, paved the way for more original artist IPs, and fueled rapid international growth.”
He said POP MART currently operates over 570 physical stores and more than 2,500 Robo-Shops, vending-machine-style kiosks, across 30+ countries and regions, including major markets in Asia, Europe, the U.S., and now Canada.
“We have built an expansive international retail footprint while also driving strong online sales and community engagement through social media, events, and IP collaborations,” explained Barrientos.
“Canada offers a vibrant, diverse consumer base that’s deeply engaged with global pop culture and increasingly interested in designer collectibles. We see strong demand among both long-time fans and new audiences, especially Gen Z collectors drawn to POP MART’s distinctive aesthetic, storytelling, and IP universe.
“The market’s openness to new trends, art-driven products, and experiential retail makes it an exciting and natural next step for our North American expansion.”
He said the retailer is starting with a foundational rollout of key stores in strategic cities in Canada and will continue to grow based on consumer demand and brand momentum.
“Our goal is to build a meaningful, sustained presence in Canada over time, expanding our retail footprint, increasing access to new product drops, and cultivating a strong local fanbase. Canada is a priority market as we scale POP MART’s presence across North America,” noted Barrientos of the Beijing-based collectibles company.
A previous Retail Insider story said the 1,325 square foot Richmond store will be followed immediately by a second location at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby. According to Jeff Berkowitz of Aurora Retail Group, who represents POP MART in Canada, the Metrotown store is scheduled to open within days of the Richmond launch.
A third location at Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills is expected to open later this year.
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