This year, China has witnessed a fascinating trend in the retail landscape: the rise of interactive shopping experiences centered around plush toys and stuffed animals.
Leading this trend is Jellycat, a global brand known for its high-quality plush toys, which has recently launched its first Asian venture with a pop-up café in Shanghai.
The pop up transforms toy shopping into a multi-sensory experience. Resembling a pastel bakery, it displays plush toys on racks with “ovens” counting down new releases. Staff, dressed as bakers, perform theatrical checkouts, “baking” each purchase. Toys are wrapped in tissue and boxed like cakes, often with bonus items, turning each sale into a memorable event.
Local initiatives are also embracing this trend with cultural twists. The Gansu Provincial Museum offers plush toys inspired by malatang, a popular hot pot dish. These cute versions of broccoli, mushrooms, and fishcakes have gone viral, rivaling Jellycat’s popularity. Museum staff “cook” the plush ingredients in toy woks, mirroring high-end retail techniques and blending culinary tradition with modern shopping experiences.
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