Pop Mart has received recognition from TIME magazine by being included in the list of the Most Influential Companies of 2025. The achievement also marks a significant milestone as Pop Mart becomes the first art toy company from China to attain such an honor.
The Labubu-maker joins DeepSeek, Meta, ASML to make itself onto the list, and is being listed under the "Disrupters" category.
Labubu was created a decade ago by Hong Kong-born artist and illustrator Lung Ka-sing influenced by Nordic folklore. In 2019, Lung agreed to let them be sold by Pop Mart in "blind boxes". A buyer of a blind box toy does not know exactly what design they will receive until they open the packaging.
With Labubu featured in countless TikTok unboxing videos, collecting frenzies ensued, fuelling the Chinese company's rapid growth.
"Revenues and profits more than doubled in 2024, compared to 2023," TIME magazine wrote. "The company is adept at selling not only toys but in-store experiences."
There are 530 themed Pop Mart stores worldwide, the magazine noted.
The annual TIME100 Most Influential Companies list evaluates companies across multiple dimensions, including relevance, influence, innovation, leadership, strategic vision, and achievements, and honors those making an extraordinary impact around the world and shaping the future.
