PopMart International Group, a renowned collectible toy company, is setting its sights on expanding in the Philippines, with plans for permanent retail stores and potential ventures into the food sector.
FPA chairman Chris Lim shared insights into the discussions PopMart has been having with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the International Franchise Conference and Expo 2025 held April 23 to 25, 2025,
“Their visit to the Philippines was to better understand the local landscape. PopMart has had pop-up stores here, but now they want to establish permanent locations. They are exploring how to adapt to the market and considering collaborations with local partners to make their expansion a success,” he said in a press briefing on the sidelines of the conference.
Lim also highlighted PopMart’s interest in expanding into the food sector, particularly with the introduction of a bakery concept similar to the one in their Beijing theme park.
He said the toy company has been gathering insights from local retail experts and meeting with local food players to understand the best way to enter the Philippine market.
“They’ve had success with a bakery in China, and they are considering launching that concept in the Philippines as one of the first markets outside China,” said Lim.
The DTI facilitated PopMart’s exploration of the Philippine market, helping connect the brand with potential partners.
According to the DTI, PopMart is also looking to collaborate with local artists to create unique collectibles inspired by Filipino culture.
“They want to understand the market more deeply and see how they can align their business model with the local consumer behavior,” said Lim.
