Home Bargains 'getting out of hand' with £3 version of 'viral' item

Home Bargains has often impressed shoppers with its cheaper alternatives to big brands - and the latest item is proving no different. Taking inspiration from a trend that's hard to escape, people now have a "cute" alternative that costs less than a fiver.

Shopper Jessica posted a TikTok clip online, writing that things are "getting a little out of hand now" as she spotted Labubu-lookalikes in the discount shop. But, these little trending keyrings came without the steep price tag.

The viral toys that originally came from the major brand Pop Mart, designed to be a plush monster-like creature, took over the internet and now usually sell for what some might feel is a lot of money for a stuffed toy, depending on how 'rare' it is deemed to be. However, if people aren't able to get their hands on the real deal, these little monsters from Home Bargains will certainly be of interest.

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Like most viral trends, the craze behind Labubu's is hard to pin down. It likely hit a new level of popularity once celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and David Beckham, to name a few, were shown to have embraced the Chinese collectables.

Plenty took to the comments of Jessica's video to give their opinions on the mini monsters. One said: "Omg, my daughter will be so excited!" Another wrote: "So cute; they look better than the real thing!"

A third commented: "Only three pounds? I’m getting all of them now!" Someone else posted: "They're sooo cute - and the heart keyring too!"

One more wrote: "My sister has four of these!" And, there was another fan who put: "Thank you Home Bargains, I need them all!"

The video shows shoppers choosing from several coloured monsters, including pink and blue. Each is designed to be attached to a bag or set of keys, and a handy heart-shaped clip comes from the creature's head.

The popularity of Labubu has also made the viral toy a prime target for people creating 'fakes'. This month, it was reported that 'dangerous' dolls could pose serious safety risks to children after 230 suspected 'fakes' were seized over the summer in an area of London, which were poorly assembled and posed choking hazards.

In other Home Bargains news, some shoppers will be flocking to stores for another reason as the long-awaited Gilmore Girls merch has started hitting shelves across the country. The new collection includes a themed candle, diffuser, throw, and mug.

At the time of writing, the £2.99 Gilmore Girls Scented Candle, the £12.99 Gilmore Girls Fluffy Throw, and the £1.99 Gilmore Girls Scented Diffuser 100ml are all available online. The double-wick candle has a sweet pumpkin latte scent.