Labubus will go down as one of the most iconic products of 2025. The fuzzy, sharp-toothed monster doll became popular virtually overnight.
What products would shoppers be willing to stock in 2025?
How long do you have to line up to buy canvas tote bags or love bags? USA TODAY Trend Reporter Greta Cross talks about what shoppers will love in 2025.
How long do you wait in line to buy a canvas tote bag, snow globe, or chocolate bar? Some avid shoppers say it can take hours or even overnight.
2025 was defined by several viral products that had shoppers waiting, sometimes in the cold, sometimes in online queues. Lovebus, the fluffy, intertwined-toothed monster doll, has taken the internet by storm. Trader Joe’s has released more mini tote bags than a hipster would actually need to fit in the trunk of their car. And Starbucks probably shed a few tears when it launched the glass Bearista cup in November of this year. Whether you were part of the crowd or watching TikTok from home, you probably know at least one of these items.
As the year comes to a close, here are eight viral products that shoppers couldn’t get enough of in 2025.
starbucks bearista cup
Perhaps one of the most memorable products to disappear from store shelves in 2025 is Starbucks’ Bearista Cup. The 20-ounce glass cup is shaped like a teddy bear wearing a green beanie and holding a Starbucks cup emblazoned with the chain’s logo. The cup was released on November 6th and sold out immediately.
Starbucks customers quickly took to social media to share their frustration with how quickly the cups were selling, with some claiming they were gone before store doors even opened, and others claiming some stores only had a few in stock.
Still sold out, Starbucks has launched a new way for customers to get their hands on a cup by participating in the annual Starbucks for Life promotion. Through January 4, Starbucks Rewards members can participate in Prize Play on the Starbucks mobile app to win prizes like drinks, gift cards, cake pops, Rewards Stars, and of course, Bearista Cups. Starbucks says more than 600 Bearista cups will be won each day.
trader joes tote bag
How many tote bags did Trader Joe’s release this year?
2025 started off strong with Trader Joe’s Easter Mini Totes. Available in four pastel colors, the tote bag retailed for $2.99, but quickly began selling on third-party resale sites like eBay and Mercari for as much as $65 for the complete set. Due to its popularity, the grocery store chain had to place a limit on the number of tote bags a customer could purchase.
For Halloween, Trader Joe’s has released a series of Trick-or-Treat Mini Canvas Totes, also priced at $2.99. The bags come in purple, black, orange, and multicolor, and these also sold out quickly. As of Dec. 15, a full set of four bags was listed on eBay for between $24 and $350.
But perhaps the most talked-about Trader Joe’s product was the Micro Tote Bag, which was released in November. At 4.5″ x 3.5″, the bag is just the right size for coins, lip balm, and keys. Due to its widespread popularity, Trader Joe’s brought back the micro bag on December 10th. Available in blue, red, yellow, and green, the miniature bags cost $2.99.
Swift doesn’t hesitate to get her hands on the latest products, including the Taylor Swift Holiday Collection. The collection was released on November 13th, and some items, such as the “Folklore” cardigan plush cat and the “Folklore” album cabin sweater, sold out on the same day.
For a few days in November, Swift released individual items such as an acoustic piano snow globe, which quickly sold out. The snow globe featured a miniature version of the piano Swift played on the Ellas tour’s “Surprise Song.” As of Dec. 15, the snow globe was available on eBay for about $87 to $140.
On the morning of Nov. 21, Swift released her Cardigan Collection, a variety of cardigans inspired by her various albums. As of December 15th, the cardigans, which cost $70 each, were sold out.
“KPop Demon Hunter” Mattel doll
In a way, I feel like Netflix didn’t expect “KPop Demon Hunters” to become so big this year, but the main reason for that is that official merchandise was not available before the holiday season.
On November 12th, Mattel released the highly anticipated HUNTR/X Rumi, Mila, and Zoe “What It Sounds Like” 3-pack. Sold in a collectible box, the $150 doll set includes Rumi, Mila, and Zoe in their final performance costumes, complete with a variety of weapons. According to a statement from Mattel obtained by USA TODAY, the doll sold out in less than an hour after pre-orders began, and as of Dec. 15, Mattel had not announced plans to restock the doll.
Shein’s Paris store
It’s not a single product, but shoppers lined up to take a look at Shine’s first permanent store, which opened in Paris this year. The flagship store, located in Paris’ famous Hôtel de Villebazaar, opened on November 5th. Forbes magazine reported that more than 50,000 customers visited the store on its opening day.
Approximately 80% of the store is geared toward women, with casual wear, sportswear, formal wear, and accessories, Fashion Network reports.
Despite the long lines, the store faced significant backlash from Paris residents, members of parliament and other retailers who argued that Chinese fast-fashion retailers were having a negative impact on French street shopping, Reuters reported.
love bath
Lovebus, the beloved (and sometimes despised) Pop Mart doll, has truly taken over 2025. With fluffy pajamas, glaring eyes, and sharp fangs all wrapped up in a blind box, the Love Bath will probably be remembered as one of the most iconic products of the year.
Chinese toy company Popmart released countless love baths throughout the year, including a Halloween collection, a miniature series, and a Coca-Cola branded collection. The toy is often sold in blind boxes so customers don’t know which character they are getting, and is available as keychains, action figures, and jewelry.
Vans “Old School” sneakers
Several limited edition sneakers were released in 2025, including Vans’ Premium Old Skool Shoe, which quickly sold out. The sneakers, with their well-worn styling including muddy coloring, tweed fringe detailing, and dirty-looking laces and soles, sold out in just one day this July. The sneakers were originally priced at $125, but are now selling for $600 on third-party resale sites like eBay.
trader joe’s dubai chocolate
Canvas tote bags weren’t the only thing flying off the shelves at Trader Joe’s this year. Capitalizing on the Dubai chocolate craze, Trader Joe’s launched its own Dubai Chocolate Bar in May. Trader Joe’s “camo,” a replica of the much-talked-about chocolate bar, was one-fifth the price of the original chocolate bar made in Dubai.
Trader Joe’s Dubai Chocolate Bar is a 3.52-ounce square and costs $3.99. This is compared to the Original Dubai Chocolate Bar 6-pack (priced at $120) from FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is about $20 per bar.
Is it hard to believe that Trader Joe’s Dubai chocolate bars have also made their way to third-party resale sites? As of December 15th, a bar was listed on eBay for about $12, and 12-packs were going for up to $90 (about $7.50 per bar).
Amaris Encinas, Melina Khan, Kate Perez,
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
