Pop Mart: How Robo Shops Are Changing Collecting Culture

Few brands spark the same level of excitement as Pop Mart. For fans of designer toys, nothing beats the thrill of opening a Pop Mart mystery blind box. Known for their original characters and captivating art toys, Pop Mart has a dedicated fan following, with collectors all over the world.

And now the latest evolution in art toy collecting has just become more accessible and more fun than ever with the introduction of Robo Shops.

What are Robo Shops?

Robo Shops are automated vending machines stocked full of Pop Mart’s beloved blind box figures. These futuristic machines are like mini-Pop Mart stores and are placed in stores where collectors love to go, including many of The Entertainer stores, including Bluewater, Lakeside, and Glasgow – St Enoch.

These machines have become more than just a convenient place to purchase product… they have become an experience for the modern collector, attracting fans from all over the globe – with some traveling miles (or even crossing oceans) to be amongst the first to try a new machine.

Social Media Meets Collecting

Pop Mart’s increasing popularity amongst collectors has made them into a worldwide phenomenon, with Robo Shops now becoming part of a larger, social experience. Influencers, affectionately known as Pop Friends, are turning these machines into content hotspots, transforming each visit into shareable “Pop Moments” online via social media platforms.

Unboxing videos are becoming a growing trend too, with people sharing their latest blind box finds in real time, allowing others to share in the excitement of discovering which Pop Mart character they’ve pulled.

With designer toy culture growing and Pop Mart’s reach expanding globally, Robo Shops are a gateway into the collecting hobby. So, whether you’re a longtime Pop Mart collector or new to the blind box buzz, Robo Shops are making collectibles interactive, inclusive and incredibly shareable.

Roll Out the Robots

The Entertainer is rolling out these robotic wonders across its store estate so collectors up and down the country can find their favourite Pop Mart pieces wherever they are. With many already in place, and others already in-store, here’s where to find them

Where to find The Entertainer x Pop Mart Robo Shops

Bluewater

Lakeside

Brighton

Newcastle – Metro Centre

Glasgow – St Enoch

Sheffield Meadowhall

Bristol – Cribbs Causeway

Manchester – Arndale Centre

Belfast

Cambridge

Leeds Trinity

Merryhill

Coming Soon

Cardiff

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