Pop Mart opened its first North East store in Newcastle's Eldon Square on Friday morning, with a steady queue forming well before the shutters went up at 9am. The launch drew crowds of fans of Labubu, the sought-after collectible creatures, signalling that the craze remains strong in the region.
Launch day draws crowds
The opening marks Pop Mart's arrival in Newcastle after successful launches in other UK cities. The store is now trading as shoppers begin their Christmas shopping in the city centre. Eldon Square, home to more than 100 retailers including Next, John Lewis and Sephora, provides a central location for the new outlet.
Retailers welcome new arrival
Helen Cowie, Centre Director of Eldon Square, said: “We know how passionate people are about all things POP MART, so we have no doubt that fans across Newcastle will be rushing to the amazing new store when it opens on Friday. It’s fantastic to see Eldon Square continuing to be selected as the chosen home for major new store openings in the city, and we can’t wait for our visitors to enjoy everything POP MART has to offer.”
Ian Ashton, POP MART’s Head of Retail, UK & Ireland, commented: “Opening in Newcastle marks another exciting milestone in POP MART’s continued growth across the UK. The North East has an incredible energy and a passionate community who already know and love our characters and Ips, making Newcastle a natural next step for us.”
Full experience for fans
Ashton added: “Eldon Square gives us a fantastic opportunity to bring the full POP MART experience closer to our existing fans, while introducing the brand to a whole new audience. We’re incredibly excited to open our doors, become part of Newcastle’s vibrant retail community, and build a lasting connection with the city and our customers across the North East.”
Staff at the Newcastle store are braced for a busy weekend, with Labubu figures stocked in large numbers alongside other lines such as Care Bears. The store is expected to see strong demand as shelves are unlikely to stay full for long.
