Fake versions of one of the world’s most popular toys have been seized from shops in Swansea.
Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Team has recently visited more than a dozen shops in the city and seized more than 1,500 counterfeit ‘Labubu’ plushie toys and keyrings.
The Labubu toys, manufactured by Pop Mart, have increasingly become one of the most sought after collectibles around the world, with the toys being resold in shops and online for double or triple their original price.
The toys come in the form of keyrings and plushies and are packaged as ‘blind boxes’ – meaning you don’t know which toy you will get until you’ve opened the packaging.
Global pop stars including Dua Lipa and Rhianna have been pictured with the toys, helping to create a frenzy for them and many others are taking to ‘tik tok’ to show off their new toy.
The latest toy seizure is part of the Council’s ongoing campaign against counterfeit and unsafe toys, that are considered dangerous for young children.
Rhys Harries, Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Team Leader, said: “Trading Standards recently received some complaints about the products and decided to visit a number of local stores to see if they were being sold.
“We’ve visited more than a dozen shops so far and have seized a large number of these toys. Some shops told us they have sold out of their stock due to demand. Many are also not aware they were selling counterfeit toys, believing them to be legitimate.
“We need local businesses to be aware of what they are buying in for resale and understand the dangers associated with these poorly made products.
“Parents and young people that may have purchased these toys should also be aware of the dangers.
“Some of the toys we have seized have been inspected and all are extremely poor quality and can be pulled apart easily. This presents a serious choking hazard for babies and young children.”
The Council recently led a counterfeit toy seizure operation in London where up to £10million of counterfeit toys were seized from a number of warehouses.
David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance, said: “This counterfeit toy seizure is significant in terms of the positive impact it has had, not only in Swansea, but around the UK.
“Our Trading Standards has continued to follow the trail of fake and dangerous toys to main distribution outlets outside of Swansea, illustrating their commitment to protecting consumers.”
