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Human insights, Survey results, Trends
Labubu, the wide-eyed, mischievous art toy, has leapt from niche collectible to viral sensation across social media. But in the UAE, is it just another internet fad or something with staying power?
At UserQ, we asked 250 people across the UAE what they really think. Some have already bought Labubu, others know it but haven’t. Together, they paint a picture of how design, hype, and culture collide.
When asked how they’d explain Labubu to a friend, the tone shifted. Most leaned positively, describing it as nostalgic, collectible, or simply fun to own.
What this tell us: People may be divided in private, but when explaining Labubu to others they tend to emphasize the positives.
Labubu’s presence in the UAE is more than just online chatter, people are opening their wallets, but in different ways.
This shows a split between early adopters, curious onlookers, and those firmly uninterested.
Among buyers, most keep it casual:
1–3 figures: The majority fall here, pointing to impulse or “dabbling.”
4 or more figures: Only 10 people, representing a tiny group of heavy collectors.
Labubu in the UAE is dominated by light ownership rather than deep fandom.
When asked how much they’d pay for a single figure:
No spend at all: 79
Under AED 50: 40
AED 51–80: 27
AED 81–120: 10
Over AED 120: 13
What this shows: Most cap their interest below AED 80. Only a small group, about 9 percent, are willing to pay more.
For those who haven’t purchased, motivation is less about price and more about relevance:
In other words, non-buyers want stronger cues that Labubu is more than hype, they need cultural and emotional reasons to join in.
The people we spoke to are not random. They already know Labubu and are a good-fit audience for insights.
What this shows: Labubu’s UAE audience is educated, tech-savvy, mobile-first, and financially diverse – a consumer group that mirrors how digital trends spread.
When asked to rank how they see Labubu, five themes stood out:
What this shows: Labubu sits between collectible and trend. A minority attach deeper personal meaning.
What this shows: Younger audiences are driving the excitement, while older groups mostly dismiss it.
When asked if they would attend a Labubu-themed event, respondents were split but leaned toward participation:
That means nearly 70 percent of people are open to attending.
What this shows: Labubu’s UAE potential doesn’t stop at online virality. With the right experiential activations, curiosity can be converted into community and loyalty.
The survey reflected the UAE’s cultural mix. Top nationalities represented were:
What this shows: Labubu resonates strongly with South Asian communities, an important audience for brand engagement in the UAE.
Labubu’s story in the UAE offers clear lessons for anyone building products or experiences:
Buzz isn’t enough. Social media creates awareness, but most buyers stop at one or two figures. Loyalty needs more than hype.
Community matters. Nearly 70% are open to events, a chance to turn casual interest into shared identity.
Meaning drives purchase. Non-buyers want Labubu to feel more relevant. Stories and cultural resonance make products worth owning.
Demographics show direction. Younger adults and South Asian communities are leading adoption, guiding where to focus efforts.
Not everyone will buy. With 43% uninterested, the goal is not mass appeal but nurturing the audiences already leaning in.
Labubu is not just hype, and it’s not just a collectible. It is both, shaped by demographics, culture, and community.
For brands, the lesson is clear: products rarely live in one category.
They live in the way people talk about them, share them, and attach meaning.
At UserQ, we believe every product, whether a viral toy or a digital platform, should be understood through the voices of real users. Because trends come and go, but listening to users is what turns curiosity into community.
If you are looking to discover in-depth product or consumer-related insights, you can create customized surveys using UserQ’s intuitive survey testing tool. Pick from six question types, including Likert Scale, Rating scale, Free text, Single choice, etc, depending on your need. Read our detailed guide to learn how to create a survey in minutes.
What about you? Have you spotted Labubu in the UAE? Do you think it’s just hype, or the start of a collectible legacy?
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