Off the shelf

The pop-up store gives collectors more ways to explore figures, plush pendants, and accessories beyond standard shelves

Collectible toys step off the rack and into interactive experiences

Collectible toys are no longer confined to store shelves and glass cabinets. Brands are turning them into mall attractions where visitors can explore themed spaces, take photos, and spend time with the characters behind the merchandise.

Pop Mart brings this approach to Glorietta with the DIMOO WORLD × PIXAR Pop-up Store, the first DIMOO-themed retail space in the Philippines. Open until Sept. 23, the temporary store is located on the ground floor near the mall’s Ayala Avenue entrance.

Collectors can take home pieces from a collection inspired by familiar Pixar films and characters 

Created by artist Ayan Deng, DIMOO is known for his oversized eyes and cloud companion. The Glorietta space builds on the character’s dream-inspired stories through installations, interactive areas, and themed displays rather than relying on rows of blind boxes alone.

The pop-up also carries the DIMOO WORLD × PIXAR collection, which places the character in familiar roles from films including Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, Up, Coco, and The Incredibles. The lineup includes collectible figures, plush pendants, and accessories.

The DIMOO WORLD × PIXAR pop-up turns collectible toys into an interactive mall attraction at Glorietta 

A separate launch area at the Palm Drive Activity Center, held from July 23 to 25, gave visitors more room to explore activities based on the collaboration. The event made the opening feel more like a short-term attraction than a conventional store launch.

DIMOO’s dream-inspired world expands through themed displays designed for browsing, photos, and shared experiences 

Such spaces reflect how designer-toy retailers are expanding the collecting experience. Shoppers may arrive for a specific figure, but the displays and photo areas encourage them to stay, share their visit online, and interact with fellow collectors.

Media guests are treated with exclusive blind boxes from the pop-up store 

The pop-up is also Pop Mart’s first location in Glorietta ahead of a permanent branch scheduled to open in October. Its two-month run shows how collectible characters are being used not only to fill shelves but also to shape how people spend time in malls. — Jasper Valdez