Bunnings has found itself at the centre of an unlikely shopping frenzy – and no, it’s not over sausages or a power drill special.
The hardware giant has quietly launched a limited run of “mystery box mini bears”, prompting such a rush that it has been forced to put a purchase limit of five per customer.
The pint-sized soft toys have already been nicknamed the “bogan Labubu” online. For context, Labubu is a popular designer toy that has sparked a global collecting craze, particularly among younger shoppers, with individual figures selling for around $32.
Bunnings’ version, however, is far more affordable at $12.50 each.
There are five mini bears in total, each dressed in what Bunnings calls “unique Bunnings-inspired designs”. One wears a team member uniform, another sports high-vis gear, one dons a rain poncho, another a straw hat, and there’s also a rare “secret bear”.
According to Bunnings, the bears are designed to “celebrate the trades and the people who make our communities thrive”, while the secret bear “represents women in trade apprenticeships”.
“We know how much customers love our classic Bunnings Bears, and this new mini version brings that same charm in a fun, collectible format,” Bunnings merchandise director Cam Rist said.
Buyers don’t know which bear they’re getting, as the toys come sealed in what the company calls a “surprise blind box experience for extra excitement”.
In other words, it’s a lucky dip – and that uncertainty is exactly what’s driving demand.
Anticipating the popularity of the release, Bunnings limited purchases to five per customer. Even so, many stores across the country have already described stock as “limited”.
Queensland mum Tyla Foster said she rushed to her local Bunnings on Monday to be among the first to grab the collectors’ item.
“I was like, I have to go immediately and beat some of the rush,” she told Yahoo Lifestyle. “I was expecting them to be gone.”
Instead, she found a fully stocked stand and walked away with five boxes – one of each bear.
“I just can’t believe our luck,” she said.
Foster, who coined the phrase “bogan Labubu”, is still building her collection.
“I fear that they’re going to be the next craze, and they’re pretty affordable, in the grand scheme of things, at $12.50,” she said.
That fear may be well-founded. The mini bears are already popping up on resale sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace, often at eye-watering prices. A quick scan by The New Daily found individual bears selling for more than $30, with full sets listed for close to $400.
Bunnings is far from alone in jumping on the collectible bandwagon. Ikea has released miniature furniture for Labubu figures, McDonald’s has offered Labubu Happy Meals, and even Kodak has joined in with tiny retro-style cameras.
Closer to home, Coles and Woolworths have been running collectible promotions for years, from Disney Discs to Little Shop mini groceries.
Consumer expert Gary Mortimer said the appeal lies in the psychology of surprise.
“We might have a couple of wins, and then we get a loss, and then that negative response encourages us to do it again,” he said.
“Sometimes what you might get in surprise box may disappoint you, but that actually encourages you to try again to see if you get something better next time.
“Brands love this idea because it gives you an opportunity to put a very small, sort of sample size product inside one of these surprise boxes, and get your product out in the market.”
Image: Instagram
