Global designer toy powerhouse POP MART International Group has unveiled its expansion plans for the Philippine market, following a high-level business mission facilitated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
POP MART representatives, during their Manila visit, explored a wide range of business opportunities including retail expansion, strategic investments, and creative collaborations with Filipino artists.
POP MART vice president Karen Chen said the company is poised to open new stores across the country in 2025, building on its existing pop-up locations at SM Makati and SM Mall of Asia.
POP MART also expressed strong interest in partnering with local creatives to co-develop original intellectual property (IP) inspired by Filipino culture, fusing global collectible trends with rich local narratives, further cementing POP MART’s commitment to culturally resonant content.
Discussions with DTI officials also covered regulatory frameworks, market entry requirements and IP protection, laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration between the company and Philippine stakeholders.
POP MART’s interest in the Philippines comes amid a banner year in 2024, when it posted a 106.9-percent revenue increase, reaching 13 billion yen and a 185.9-percent surge in net profit to 3.4 billion yen.
The company attributed the growth to the global popularity of its plush toys and an aggressive push into overseas markets, Southeast Asia in particular, which saw a six-fold increase in revenue.
The DTI, through its Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Beijing (PTIC-Beijing) and the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), continues to champion strategic investments that drive innovation and economic growth.
