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POP MART has become a significant name in the designer toy world, releasing numerous popular character collections over the past decade. For many young people, the excitement of its creative products offers a small and immediate sense of joy and comfort. To build on this, POP MART recently opened two major new flagship stores, one in Beijing and another in Shanghai.
The stores in Beijing and Shanghai are like stepping into a favorite comic book. Designed by THIRTY NINE, the interiors draw directly from POP MART’s most popular characters, including MOLLY, DIMOO, LABUBU, SKULLPANDA, and HIRONO. Each one has its own zone, complete with oversized figurines, textured backdrops, and sculptural elements inspired by their traits and stories.
Design that moves with you
Instead of walls, THIRTY NINE used modular display systems to organize the space. These floating shelves and island-style fixtures make the stores feel open and easy to navigate, while still allowing each character to have their moment. Curved structures, soft lights, and wooden surfaces give the whole space a calm, welcoming energy, quite different from the shiny metal and neon lights usually found in toy shops.
From playroom to gallery
The stores also feature a dedicated area for the MEGA Collection, showcasing large-scale versions of POP MART figures in sculpted niches and alongside simple relief walls. Everything is designed to spark an emotional connection, whether it’s nostalgia, curiosity, or just the joy of discovering a character for the first time.
Little surprises around every corner
There’s no single route through these stores. Instead, shoppers find themselves wandering through curved walls, passing layered columns, and bumping into unexpected installations like MOLLY holding a paintbrush or SKULLPANDA in one of her many time-traveling personas. The layout encourages exploration, with cozy spots to stop for photos or just enjoy the view.
The entire concept behind this project was to let POP MART’s character universe unfold in real-world space. Whether you’re a longtime collector or just a curious passerby, the stores offer a moment of escape, like walking through someone’s dream or stepping inside a comic strip.
Project info
Project name: POP MART Flagship Store (Sanlitun, Beijing)
Project area: 189 square meters
Opening time: Sep. 2024
Design studio: THIRTY NINE
Photography: yuuuunstudio
Project name: POP MART Flagship Store (IFC, Shanghai)
Project area: 148 square meters
Opening time: Nov. 2024
Design studio: THIRTY NINE
Photography: yuuuunstudio
