CNBC AI News, August 11th – A social media firestorm has erupted in China, pitting toy retailer Pop Mart against lifestyle giant Miniso. The contentious issue? Allegations of design similarities between Pop Mart’s newly opened flagship store in Bangkok and Miniso’s “MINISO LAND” concept store.
The buzz began on August 8th, coinciding with the grand opening of Pop Mart’s largest Thai store yet, located in the prestigious Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok.
Social media users quickly drew comparisons, highlighting what they perceived as striking resemblances between the two retail spaces.
Commentators pointed to a shared aesthetic: a vibrant, high-saturation color palette, the use of flowing lines to delineate different zones, playful façade designs evocative of amusement parks, and ceilings adorned with fluorescent geometric shapes. The overall ambiance, many argued, felt strikingly familiar.
While some observers cautioned against jumping to conclusions, others were less diplomatic. “It’s a little too similar for comfort,” one user posted, while another quipped, “Did Pop Mart just Ctrl+V Miniso’s design?”
In response to the online uproar, Pop Mart representatives stated that their store design was the responsibility of a dedicated internal team. “We are confident in our design process,” a spokesperson said, “but we are taking the online feedback seriously and will conduct a thorough internal review to address these concerns.”
However, the plot thickened. Online chatter soon alleged that Miniso may have instigated the criticism against Pop Mart, potentially employing “water armies” (internet trolls) to amplify negative sentiment.
“Miniso’s business warfare is so… straightforward,” joked one netizen. This claim, if substantiated, would represent a significant escalation in the competitive landscape between the two brands. As of press time, Miniso has not responded to requests for comment on these allegations. The apparent design similarities and the subsequent accusations highlight the intense rivalry and high stakes in China’s competitive retail market, where brand image and consumer perception are paramount. This situation underscores the importance of intellectual property protection and ethical competition in the fast-evolving consumer landscape.
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