<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div><div>Key points:<ul><li>Labubu dolls have become collector's items</li><li>Investment would create jobs</li><li>Pop Mart says London is the heart of 'the global creative ecosystem'</li></ul></div>By Andrew MacAskill Pop Mart , the maker of the famous Labubu doll, named London for its new regional headquarters, and said it would open seven more UK stores, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer secured the &#34;ugly-cute&#34; investment on his trip to China. Starmer's four-day visit aims to inject growth into Britain's economy by strengthening ties between the countries through improved market access, lower tariffs and investment deals, such as Pop Mart's. The Labubu dolls, whose toothy grin and pointy ears are behind their intentionally imperfect &#34;ugly-cute&#34; appeal, have become collector's items since going viral on social media 18 months ago.Starmer's visit has secured export deals worth 2.2 billion pounds ($3.02 billion) as well as market access valued at 2.3 billion pounds over five years, and hundreds of millions of pounds in investment, a statement from his office said on Friday. LOCATIONS INCLUDE BIRMINGHAM, CARDIFF AND OXFORD STREETPop Mart will open in seven locations in Britain, including Birmingham, Cardiff and a new flagship store on London's Oxford Street. It also plans 20 more stores across Europe. The investment will create over 150 jobs in Britain, the statement said. &#34;London stands at the heart of the global creative ecosystem, and we are thrilled to plant our European roots here,&#34; Grant Wang, Pop Mart's founder and chief executive, said in a statement. Pop Mart is one of a group of Chinese consumer-facing companies, including fashion retailer Urban Revivo and coffee chain Luckin, that are turning to overseas markets to try to counter weaker domestic spending linked to a prolonged property crisis and wage security concerns. Starmer's office also said Chinese energy storage firm HiTHIUM would invest 200 million pounds in Britain, adding 300 jobs, and life sciences group Asymchem would create 150 jobs by expanding its UK operations. ($1 = 0.7275 pounds)</div></div></div>

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Pop Mart, the maker of Labubu dolls, has chosen London for its European headquarters, planning to open seven stores in the UK, including a flagship on Oxford Street. This investment, secured during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China, aims to create over 150 jobs. Starmer's trip has also led to export deals worth £2.2 billion and market access valued at £2.3 billion. Pop Mart joins other Chinese firms expanding overseas amid domestic economic challenges.

- Pop Mart, the creator of Labubu dolls, announced its new headquarters in London and plans to open seven additional stores in the UK, including a flagship on Oxford Street.  
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent visit to China aimed to boost the UK's economy, securing investment deals worth billions and creating over 150 jobs through Pop Mart's expansion.  
- Starmer's meetings also led to additional investments from Chinese firms, including a £200 million investment from HiTHIUM, which will create 300 jobs.

China's Labubu-maker picks London for European HQ in boost for UK