Latest news with #plushies
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Introducing Squishpillows—Squishmallow's New Pillow Collection
Forbes writers and editors independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Jazwares, the company that created Squishmallows (Gen Alpha's favorite plushie toys), has expanded its catalog to include a line of pillows and pillowcases that possess the same cloud-like comfort that Squishmallow fans know and love, but in a new—equally as cuddly—form. The parent company's move into the sleep space is a natural next step after the brand says a survey revealed that one in four Squishmallow owners use their stuffed toy as a pillow. The new line of cozy Squishpillows are now available exclusively at Target, online and in stores. Squishmallow catalog. They offer signature comfort with better support for sleep. Less ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER Your children, nieces or nephews aren't the only ones on the Squishmallow wave. By the end of last year, reports say Jazwares had sold over 400 million of the beloved plushie toys, with notable customers like Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian. Whether you're looking to grow your kid's Squishy Squad collection or you're a first-time buyer interested in bedding with teddy bear-like comfort, the new Squishpillow may be worth checking out. Squishpillow Features And Firmness Currently, the only option available is a firm pillow in a standard or king size. However, Target says sleepers will soon be able to choose from three firmness levels: soft, medium or firm. Side sleepers may want to stick with the firm Squishpillow for added support, while back sleepers may prefer the medium option and stomach sleepers the soft. Your purchase includes a classic white, velvety-soft pillowcase made from the same material that helped turn Squishmallows into a cult favorite. For a pop of personality, you can separately buy a pillowcase featuring playful colorways with fan-favorite characters like Cam the cat and Junie the yellow banana. Solid color options are also available in gray, navy blue and white. A Pillow That's Squishy But Also Supportive The pillow's inner fill is made from the brand's signature down-alternative polyester fiber, while crisp and smooth 100% organic cotton with a 250-thread count makes up the outer shell. Each Squishpillow is also GOTS certified (certified organic) and manufactured with recycled plastic. As cozy as a Squishmallow plushie is to snuggle with in bed, it's important that your pillow promotes spinal alignment throughout the night. By pairing your current character(s) with a pillow that's plush yet supportive for your body type and sleeping position, you can achieve a dreamy, ultra-cozy sleep setup—without the aches and pains. And if the Squishpillow doesn't deliver the comfort you need, you have 90 days to return it for a full refund. For an even better snooze, consider the best sheets and best comforters for hot sleepers to complement your new bedding. Why Trust Forbes Vetted Our sleep team has tested, researched and reviewed hundreds of products to build a robust library of mattress and sleep content containing expert insights and recommendations. Author of this article McKenzie Dillon is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She's a certified sleep science coach and has been testing sleep products and researching the topic of sleep since 2019. She's tested over 30 pillows from top-rated brands across the industry. Senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman oversees the section and edited this article. She's a fellow certified sleep science coach and has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products over the years. Are Squishmallows Good As Pillows? A Squishmallow might feel comfortable to cuddle with at night, but it lacks the support and sturdiness to keep your head from falling flat. This contributes to poor sleep posture, which can be a cause for aches and pains come morning. Can You Get A Squishmallow Pillow? Squishmallow Pillows are available in Target and at starting June 22. This marks the first time the brand is venturing into the sleep market. Can Squishmallow Pillows Be Washed? Your Squishpillow itself isn't machine washable, but the brand recommends you cover it with its pillowcase that's machine washable on a cold setting. Then, tumble dry on low. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me a secure tip. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions © 2025 Forbes Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Cosmopolitan ME
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
Nui-Katsu 101: How to nail Japan's cutest trend in the UAE
Move over, Labubu, there's a new pocket-sized star in town. If you haven't met the Urupocha-chan plushies, your soft toy era is about to begin. In Japan, there's an adorable trend called nui-katsu, short for nuigurumi katsudou (aka 'plushie activities'), and yes, it's exactly as cute as it sounds. Basically, it's all about bringing your plushies along for the ride, snapping pics of them at brunch, in cafés, on park benches, living their best soft life. And the best part? You get to post the cutest content ever on social media, without showing your face. Your plushie becomes the star of the feed ✨ How to pick the perfect plushie Now, not every plushie can handle the spotlight. You need one that's small enough to travel with you, cute enough to steal the show, and bonus points if it's something nostalgic, like Disney (because duh). Enter: the Urupocha-chan collection from Disney Store. These palm-sized plushies are seriously photogenic. They're soft, squishable, and can even sit upright on their own, perfect for your plushie brunch content 📸 From Mickey and Minnie to Winnie the Pooh, Stitch, and even Goofy, there are 14 characters to start with, and even more cuties on the way 👀 So yes, you're going to want to collect them all. Ready to join the plushie club? Here's where to shop them Plushies this cute can be hard to find in Dubai, but if you can't get your hands on the Urupocha-chan ones, don't worry. There are some super cute alternatives out there that still bring the cosy, kawaii vibes. We've rounded up a few faves below 👇✨ Miniso Miniso is basically a plushie goldmine. Think tiny bears, bunnies, and sleepy-looking fruit characters that are just begging to be part of your nui-katsu squad. They're cute, cuddly, and budget-friendly, perfect for filling up your feed and your shelves. The Little Things If your plushie needs a little more personality, The Little Things has you covered. From licensed favourites to kawaii finds, this spot has a mix of playful, photogenic plushies that would look so cute in a café flatlay. Definitely worth a browse or copping 10 plushies. Kinokuniya More than just a book store, Kinokuniya is low-key a plushie lover's secret weapon. You'll often find quirky Japanese characters and soft toys tucked between the stationery and anime merch. Ideal if you're going for that niche, collector-core look So grab your girls, snap a group pic of your Urupocha-chan squad sipping matcha lattes and living their soft toy dream life ✨Trust us, it's cute, it's creative, and it's so serotonin-boosting. Plus, your feed? Instantly 10x cuter. Looking to add a new collectible to your collection? Check out where you can get Sonny Angels in Dubai.
CNET
05-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Celebrate the Switch 2 Launch With Discounted Nintendo Plushies While You Still Can
With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, now is the perfect time to treat yourself to some discounted Nintendo plushies. Today only, Best Buy is offering plushies with discounts of up to $16, including various Kirby ones that every self-respecting fan of the games absolutely should own. Prices start at just $21 with these discounts applied, but time's running out to take advantage of them. There are currently seven plushies on offer, including those gorgeous Kirby ones alongside a few that will be immediately familiar to fans of Mario and Mario Kart games. A personal favorite is the Markio Kart blue shell, despite the fact that it gives me flashbacks every time I look at it. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Once you've ordered your new plushies, why not flesh out your Switch 2 game collection? There are three Switch 2 games in particular that you really shouldn't miss out on. Not managed to grab a Switch 2 for yourself just yet? Panic not, there are still plenty of ways to cheer yourself up, including making sure you already have the best Switch games and some helpful accessories you can buy today. We're also keeping our eye peeled for any new Switch 2 restock drops to help you track availability. Why this deal matters These plushies are too cute, and any money that you save today is a good way to make sure you have spare cash lying around for new games. If you're lucky enough to get a new Switch 2, every little helps when it comes to filling out your collection of games and accessories.
ABC News
05-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Popularity of blind boxes has a lot to do with luck, chance and scarcity
You might not know what Labubus are, but Lucia, 13, sees them all over social media. "I have two," she says. "Influencers use them a lot and they're just always branded, and they're always promoted online." Labubus are elfish-looking plush toys that double as a large key ring and can often be seen clipped on bags. They originated in Hong Kong, as one character from a series of picture books titled The Monsters. To say Labubus are in high demand is an understatement – online, the product can sell out in a matter of minutes. So, when Lucia did manage to get her hands on one, she was, initially, pretty happy about it. "I was finally hopping on the trend that was all over social media," she says. "I feel like I was a bit disappointed because I didn't get the ones that I wanted but like I feel that's kind of on me because it's like a little mystery." Labubus are just one character in the multi-billion-dollar blind-box industry, which hinges a lot of its popularity on luck and chance. The industry is growing rapidly. Pop Mart, the Chinese retailer that sells Labubus and specialises in blind boxes, has a market capitalisation value of $51 billion, and grew 340 per cent in 2024 alone. Blind boxes, also known as mystery boxes, are sealed packages that contain one randomly chosen and distributed product from a larger series. Most of the time, they are toys, trinkets, stationery, jewellery, or even electronic devices. "They're basically low-stakes and low-value items," says Renata Yannoulis, an advertising strategy director at agency TBWA Australia. The earliest version of a blind box dates back to the early 20th century with a Japanese tradition called fukubukuro, where retailers would sell products in unmarked bags at a discounted price. The toy-centred version emerged in the 1960s with gachapon, a vending machine that dispenses toys in plastic capsules. The promise of a random, collectable toy as a strategy to sell products has been used in other parts of the world, too – cereal box prizes in the early 1900s, Kinder Surprises and Happy Meals. While these collectibles may seem cute or harmless, the blind-box model of chance, and the thrill that comes with luck and randomness, is linked to gambling behaviours. "You might find yourself in a Pop Mart store and you're betting that box that you pick up off that shelf that's got the exact Labubu that you are after," Ms Yannoulis says. "You might get to the counter and think, 'I want to hedge my bet. I want to increase my chance because maybe I'm not as lucky as I think. So maybe I'll buy two boxes and double my chances of getting this mystery box right and getting the exact one I want.'" Indyana and Hannah, who are both 18, agree. "It is kind of addictive, and if you don't get what you want, you may never get it," Hannah says. Mia, 18, says it's easy to get swept up in buying the products in bulk to increase the chances of finding the desired collectible. "I feel like after you're like, 'Oh, I spent a lot of money. I probably shouldn't have,'" she says. The scarcity of some blind boxes – Labubus, in particular – has been seen to play a significant role in their popularity and competition around buying one of these products. While part of this is basic supply and demand, the marketing tactic of "manufactured scarcity" is also at play. "Manufactured scarcity is designed to keep people repeat purchasing in pursuit of a particular very niche item that they don't yet have, that a lot of people want," Ms Yannoulis says. "It signals to others that you're potentially expending money, time or effort to get this thing that everybody wants. "These brands and businesses are manufacturing that scarcity by putting a cap on the number of distribution points that you can get these products." Mia and Ella, 17, say the thrill and excitement of blind boxes comes from this scarcity and how hard they are to find. "You see it [blind boxes] all on TikTok and you're like, 'Where did you get it? Where did you get it?'" Mia says. "[It's] the FOMO of missing out, of not having them," Ella says. In 2022, Shanghai introduced strict guidelines in response to the potential harms of blind boxes as a vessel in gambling. The guidelines came in the form of age limits, capped pricing and limiting scarcity. The viral trend of "unboxing" – the act of recording and sharing videos of a product being opened for the first time – is also fuelling demand for collectibles. "You actually get second-hand instant gratification from watching people unbox their own toys," Ms Yannoulis says. Mia and Ella see sharing these videos as a way to engage with the broader blind-box community. "We've got all these videos of us doing them [unboxing]," Ella says. "And you're like, 'Oh my gosh' and then you put it into your Instagram and … you're like, 'Guys, look!'" Mia says. For Hannah, the joy that comes with unboxing is linked to nostalgia. "It's just something that you do as a little kid," she says. "You get excited when you find something that you really want and you can unbox it and, I don't know, it's just an adrenaline, a bit of an adrenaline rush. You're like, 'Yay!'" Unboxing does, however, come at a cost to sustainability, as layers of packaging are used to conceal the collectibles that are often made of plastic themselves. "It is scary to think about the volume of product that will eventually end up in landfill because of this trend when it does, ultimately, die out, let alone the packaging itself," Ms Yannoulis says. Ms Yannoulis says, at best, collectibles can provide moments of joy, but moderation should always be front of mind. "They offer comfort, a little sense of security, a little bit of wonder, a little bit of joy … but it's never going to provide that long-term fulfilment or that meaningful positivity in your life," she says. "So, for people to obsess over and put such a high value on it, it can become a little dangerous. "If you have one Labubu, it's probably enough." "I think remembering they're just toys at the end of the day, and just don't go around buying, like, a hundred," Ella says. "It's fun for everyone. It's fun to share!" Mia says.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE McDonald's Australia to launch Squishmallows in surprise new Happy Meal range - including an exclusive new character: 'This is huge'
Wildly popular collectible toy Squishmallows have just been announced as the latest toy addition in McDonald's Australia Happy Meals. The fast-food giant confirmed in an announcement today that their signature kid's meal is 'about to get even happier with the launch of Squishmallows Happy Meals'. In huge news for fans of the toy collectibles, one of the 14 mini plushie characters in the Macca's Happy Meals range will be a world-first exclusive. The new Squishmallows Squad character set to debut is Halley, the Intergalactic Axolotl. Among the new collection are also two characters that will only be available in Australia and New Zealand: Avery, the green and brown mallard duck and Theotto, the Cthulhu monster with dragon wings. Collectors will be hoping to get their hands on all 14 Macca's Happy Meals Squishmallows characters, with some of the classic characters included in the collection set to feature exclusive new expressions. A full list of the characters is below. Among the collection are perennial favourite characters Rossi, the purple cheetah with pink spots and Charles, the winking green pickle with a moustache. Squishmallows are a current trending toy adored by the young and young at heart for their loveable personalities, whimsical design and ultra-soft feel. McDonald's Australia Marketing Director of Menu and Brand Amanda Nakad said they were excited to have secured a collaboration with the 'squishable plushies [that] are all the rage right now'. 'This limited-time Happy Meal brings a taste of the viral toy sensation to Macca's, with the first McDonald's Squishmallows Squad,' Amanda said. 'Whether you're joining the hunt to collect them all or just looking for a dose of happiness, there's a Squishmallow for every kind of fan with this new Happy Meal.' Toy manufacturer Jazware said it was notable that the McDonald's Squishmallows Squad would feature 'character favourites with unique, never-before-seen happy expressions'. Jazwares Executive Vice President of Brand and Marketing Gerhard Runken added that it was particularly exciting to debut the 'newest Squishmallow Squad member Halley, making the search exciting as ever for fans worldwide'. Squishmallows Happy Meals will be available with a choice of 3 or 6-piece chicken mcnuggets, a hamburger, cheeseburger or grilled chicken snack wrap. They're also served with a side of small fries or apple slices and a small drink. Each of the Macca's Happy Meals Squishmallows will also come with a scannable code to unlock an exclusive digital game featuring the lovable characters. They will be available nationwide from Thursday 29 May via drive thru, kiosk, front counter and the MyMacca's app - but only for a limited time and while stock lasts. Popular and collectible Squishmallows have soared in popularity since 2020 and are revered for being ultra-soft and comforting. An array of different types and sizes of Squishmallows are displayed here in a toy store Popular and collectible Squishmallows were first launched in 2017 and since 2020 have become a collectible toy renowned for being super soft, adorable and cute. The Squishmallows "characters" range from fruits to animals and come in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and colours – each with their own name, expression and unique personality. Squishmallows are made from ultra-soft Spandex and polyester material to give them a "marshmallow-like" feeling. The initial burst of popularity of these toys coincided with the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with Squishmallows praised for providing comfort, thanks to their soft sensorial properties. The toy is also credited by some people for helping them cope with stress and anxiety. Like Beanie Babies did decades earlier, Squishmallows attract an enthusiastic community of collectors, particularly since certain exclusive characters are available in limited numbers or sizes. One of the rarest Squishmallows is Jack the Black Cat, which only has 500 in circulation. Rare and in-demand Squishmallows attract higher prices and are often re-sold online. There are numerous social media videos of Squishmallows collectors showcasing their toy haul. Celebrities like Charli D'Amelio and Lady Gaga are also reportedly amongst those that collect limited edition Squishmallows.
