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Shopkins
TypeToys, figures, dolls
Inventor(s)Paul Solomon
CompanyMoose Toys
CountryUnited Kingdom
Availability2014–present
MaterialsPlastic, rubber
Slogan"Once you shop - you can't stop!" (Seasons 1-11)
"Real Brands. Real Cute." (Seasons 12-13)
"Things You Love Made Micro!" (Season 14-18/Real Littles series)
Official website

Shopkins are a range of tiny, collectable toys manufactured by Moose Toys. Based on grocery store items, each plastic Shopkin figure has a recognizable face and unique name. They also have special finishes like translucent, glitter, or squishy. The collectable toys (which are designated as common, rare, ultra-rare, special edition, limited edition, and exclusive) also had expanded into lines of clothing, trading cards, and other related merchandise.

The toy line began in 2014.[1][2] As of 2023, there are eighteen seasons of the toys. There are also series that represent holidays such as Halloween, Easter, and Christmas. There are also spin-offs, with the current being the ongoing “Kindi Kids” line of dolls, released in August 2019.

History

Shopkins were designed and developed by Moose Toys in Melbourne in April 2013. Co-chief Paul Solomon credits his mother Jacqui Tobias, director of girls’ products, for the idea of Shopkins.[3] Moose Toys had success with their line of Trash Pack collectible figurines targeted towards boys but lacked a market for girls. Shopkins was produced initially as a similar product for girls — however, it appeals to children in general.[4][5]

Shopkins toys

Figures

Various Shopkins merchandise, as shown on shelves

Shopkins figurines are roughly 1 inch in height and 1/2 inch in width, roughly the size of a United States Quarter. Each figurine has a face, name, and its own personality. They are distributed in bright coloured packaging with bubble letters.[6] Shopkins are based on grocery items such as a sweet apple named Apple Blossom, a chocolate bar named Cheeky Chocolate, a lipstick named Lippy Lips, and a chocolate chip cookie named Kooky Cookie.[7][8] There are hundreds of Shopkins in the Shopkins World.[9] Shopkins are organized into categories such as Fruit & Veg or Bakery. They can be found in a variety of packs; 2, 5, 12, and Mega (20) packs are the most well known, however for a limited time 10 packs were sold during Season One. Season Nine would retire the 5 packs indefinitely in place for Shoppet packs. With the debut of Mini Packs in Season Ten, the 2, 12, and Mega packs were reconfigured into 1 packs (consisting of 1 Shopkin and 1 Mini Pack for one complete figure), 8 packs (consisting of 8 Shopkins and 8 Mini Packs for eight complete figures), and Variety (12) packs (consisting of 12 Shopkins and 12 Mini Packs for twelve complete figures), respectively. In Season Eleven, the variety packs would be replaced by the “Family Fun Packs” (consisting of a family of 5 Shopkins for one large Mini Pack and 8 other Shopkins and Mini Packs for 22 items total). For the Real Littles line, the 2 packs (consisting of 2 Shopkins and 2 Mini Packs for two complete figures) would return alongside the 8 packs introduced in Season Ten. After being introduced in Season Twelve, these packs would remain for Season Thirteen. In Season Fourteen, the series would reintroduce the Mega packs (now consisting of 13 Shopkins and 13 Mini Packs for thirteen complete figures). These packs would remain for Seasons Fifteen, Sixteen, and Seventeen.

Rarities

Shopkins are collected and valued based on their rarity. Moose classifies the Shopkins degrees of rarity as “Common” (White (Purple in Seasons 12 onwards)), “Exclusive” (Turquoise), “Limited Edition” (Gold), “Rare” (Green), “Special Edition” (Blue), and “Ultra Rare” (Pink). The “Special Edition” Shopkins can only be found in 8 or 12 packs of Shopkins.[10]

Materials

Materials used for Shopkins were rubbery-plastic, brought from China, and from Season 10 onwards, the plastic is from Vietnam.

Seasons

Season 1

The first season of Shopkins, was released in June 2014. The season came out in major retailers. The first season of Shopkins contained over 150 characters to collect, all based on grocery store items. Some of the teams include Fruit & Veg, Bakery, Sweet Treats, and more. The Limited Edition Shopkins come in a metallic finish.

Season 2

The second season of Shopkins was released in December 2014. The season featured new teams including Baby, Homewares, Cleaning & Laundry and Shoes. The Limited Edition Shopkins were covered in bling.

Season 3

Season Three was released in June 2015. The new teams, Stationery, International Food & Hats, were added to the season. The Third Season is the first season to have its Limited Edition Shopkins have their own specific theme, with the team name for the Limited Editions being the “Cool Jewels” Shopkins.

Season 4

Season Four was released in December 2015. This season introduced Petkins, which are Shopkins with faces that resemble animals. Other new categories include Party Time, Petshop, Garden, and Accessories. The Limited Edition Shopkins in the season are the “Perfume Pretties” Shopkins.

Season 5

Season Five was released in May 2016. New categories include Charms, Tech, Music and Sport. The Limited Edition Shopkins are the “Tiny Toys” Shopkins.

Season 6

Season Six, also known as Chef Club, was released in October 2016. Instead of having specific teams, Shopkins were food ingredients for various recipes, meaning they belonged to multiple ones at once depending on their type. The Limited Edition Shopkins are the “CUTEtensils” Shopkins, and are based on utensils instead of food. The sixth season is the first season to have Shoppies in the season, with for this season, under the Chef Club line.

Season 7

Season Seven, also known as Join the Party, was released on February 5, 2017. The special edition Shopkins for this season are the Topkins, which can be stacked on top of each other. Also, instead of coming in recipe books, they come in presents. The Limited Editions in the season are the “Hollywood” Shopkins.

Season 8

Season 8, also known as “World Vacation” was released in June 2017. The season was divided in three waves for its 3 respective continents featuring Shopkins from around the world. The first wave is from Europe released in June 2017, which features the countries France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Spain. The second wave is from Asia and features the countries China, Japan, Australia (despite not being an Asian country,) and India. The third wave features the Americas which features both of the continents North America and South America respectively, and features the countries Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, however, unlike the first two waves which had one country have Ultra Rares, a different theme was given for the Ultra Rares which were the “Gleamtastic Holidays” Shopkins, based on several holidays found in the countries, such as Valentines Day and Independence Day for example. This time in this season, the Shopkins now come in hotel rooms. The Special Edition Shopkins in this season are the “Bag Charms” while the Limited Editions are the “Shimmering Snow Globes” Shopkins.

Season 9

Season 9, also known as “Wild Style” was released in January 2018. The theme for the season is animals, which include dogs, cats, bunnies, tigers, cows, monkeys, skunks, pandas. and unicorns. The teams in the season are considered “tribes”, which in each one contain new Shopkins with their own team's finishes, which also include returning Shopkins, like Apple Blossom and Cupcake Queen. They can be found in pet-pods. The season also introduces “Shoppets”, which are fuzzy, anthropomorphic animals. During Season Ten (the next season), a wave 2 of Shoppets were made. Shoppies in the season are also returning characters but now with animal themes. A new Shoppie for this season, Mystabella, was released as a Limited Edition Shoppie. There were also bundled sets of Shoppies and Shoppets available. The limited editions in the season are the “Shimmery Unicorn” Shopkins, which come in a metallic finish and a unicorn theme.

Season 10

Season 10, also known as “Mini Packs” was released in June 2018. In this season, all of the Shopkins from Seasons 1, 2, and 3 are rereleased, but now with the same colours as their own static art and colored irises, and come in mini packs. Some also come with new finishes including the “hot spot” finish, which features Shopkins with spots on them. The limited editions are all metallic.

Season 11

Season 11, also known as “Family Mini Packs” was released in January 2019. Similar to the previous season, the season also comes with mini packs of their own, but now features Shopkins as “families”. Each team is considered a “family”, which contains new Shopkins (which contain a Father, Mother, a Sibling or Relative) and a new kind of Shopkin, called a “Babykin”, was released as smaller Shopkins to look like “babies” in the family. The limited editions are the “Bubs N Spices” family Shopkins.

Season 12

Season 12, also known as “Real Littles” was released in August 2019. The mini packs are themed after real brands, mainly from food such as some of the Kellogg's brands, Welch's, and more, with the exception of the Special Editions (which are the Skechers shoes Shopkins.)

Season 13

Season 13 was released in January 2020. The “Real Littles” theme keeps on going, but now comes in a theme of various food from the freezer aisle. There are Shopkins based on the Unilever family of brands, new Special Edition Slush Puppy Shopkins, and more.

Season 14

Season 14 was released in Summer, 2020. The season was notable for dropping the “Shopkins” name in place of Real Littles, however it would still be referred to as Season 14 on packaging. In this season, some of the Shopkins from Seasons 12 and 13 are rereleased (similar to Season 10 when they rereleased the Shopkins from the first 3 seasons itself,) and this season is given a vending machine theme.

Season 15

After more than a year of hiatus, Season 15 was released in October, 2021. Upon reveal, packaging stated the season would release in multiple waves, known as Drops. Season 15 Drop 1 included some Shopkins from the previous three seasons of Real Littles but also included new characters recycled from already existing characters designs. Season 15 Drop 2 released in January, 2022, and included all-new characters. This season has a “Micro Mart” theme, and features new Special Edition ICEE slushie Shopkins.

Season 16

Season 16 released in July, 2022. The “Shopkins” name would return to packaging after being absent for the two previous seasons and also had a Snack Time theme.

Season 17

Season 17 released in January, 2023. The season continued the Snack Time theme from the previous season. The season marked the return of the beloved Fruit & Veg category, which had not been in a season of Shopkins for nearly 5 years at the time of release. The Special Editions for the season were the “White Mystery Color Reveal Airheads”, which were white Airheads that would change colors once placed in water.

Spin-offs

Shopkins Shoppies

Shopkins Shoppies, the first spin-off of Shopkins being released in October 2015, is a line of 5-inch dolls, featuring teenage girls with brushable, colourful hair, accessories, exclusive Shopkins entitled “Shopkins B.F.F.S.” and are themed after stuff such as food, flowers, and fashion. The dolls also come with VIP codes (which are cards or mini magazines, or secret diaries (Lil’ Secrets only) depending on the line), which can be used for the Shopkins World app. The original line consisted of three dolls, “Jessicake” “Bubbleisha” and “Popette” respectively, later add 2 new Shoppies, “Peppa-Mint” and “Donatina” in December 2015. Separate lines of the dolls were also produced, including Core Shoppies and Style Shoppies. Some were also found in various seasons. Special Edition dolls were also made, with the first being “Gemma Stone”, named after the audition Shopkin of the same name, was released as a Walmart exclusive in November 2016 for a Black Friday sale. Beginning in 2018, with 2nd Special Edition Shoppie “Chandelia”, Special Edition Shoppies were released every year, starting in October, and as Target exclusives. Starting in 2016, Limited Edition Shoppies were also available during events in San Diego Comic-Con, until 2018. Following the release of Kindi Kids, the series would be silently discontinued, with their final Shoppie, Wynter Frost, being released in late 2020.

Shoppies

Core Shoppies

Style Shoppies

Chef Club

Join The Party

World Vacation

Wild Style

Lil' Secrets

Real Littles

SDCC Exclusive

Store Exclusive

Cutie Cars

The third spin-off, “Cutie Cars” was released in August 2017. The line featured cars with Shopkins faces on them, also themed after stuff like food, fashion and accessories. along with mini Shopkins to ride on. There were also Limited Editions produced prior to Season 3, as well as an exclusive set from San Diego Comic Con which were 2 Golden Cutie Cars in 2018. Starting in Season 3 onwards, Moose developed “Color Changing Cutie Cars” and "Color Change Fantasy Cutie Cars" in season 4. The slogan is “I Heart QT CARS”. With only 4 seasons produced, the line was also discontinued in 2020.

Season One

Season One Cutie Cars include:

Single Packs

Fast 'n' Fruits Collection

Candy Combo Collection

Freezy Riders Collection

Bumper Bakery Collection

Super Stylish Limited Edition Cars

Drive Thru Diner

Season 2

Season Two Cutie Cars were released in January 2018. They include:

Single Packs

Precious Ride Limited Edition Cars

Pretty Performers Collection

Speedy Style Collection

Dessert Drivers Collection

Breakfast Beeps Collection

Happy Places

Another spin-off of Shopkins, “Happy Places” was released in August 2016. The line features many playsets such as houses and other buildings, and can de decorated with petkins furniture. The furniture sets in the line featured shopkin faces on them, and are themed after various animals. Smaller Shoppies were also made, entitled “Lil Shoppies”. A Disney version for the series was also produced. The series also has store-exclusive playsets, including the “Sparkle Hill” playsets (Walmart exclusive) and the “Movie Night Besties” pack with exclusive Jessicake and Popette Lil’ Shoppies (Big W exclusive). The slogan was “Decorate your Place with a Cute Lil’ Face!” later changed to “Turn Any Space into a Cute Place!” With only 7 seasons produced, the line was discontinued in 2020.

Season 1 Wave 1

Season 1 Wave 2

Season 2 Wave 1

Season 2 Wave 2

Lil' Secrets

The fourth spin-off, “Lil’ Secrets” was released in August 2018. The line is similar to Polly Pocket, in which it features lockets, which were playsets, that came with “Tenny Shoppies” and “Tenny Shopkins”. Regular-sized Shoppies were also produced. Starting in Season 3, mini stores and houses were released, under the name “Secret Shops”. The theme for Season 2 is “Party Pop-ups” and for Season 3, “Shop-key-pers”. With only 4 seasons produced, the line was also discontinued in 2020.

Secret Locks

Secret Lockets

Shoppies

Secret Shops

Secret Bag Tags

Playsets

Kindi Kids

Kindi Kids is the fifth and ongoing spin-off of Shopkins released in August 2019, featuring the Shoppies dolls as toddlers, with the slogan being “Yay! Let’s Play!”. The line featured ten-inch dolls of the Shoppies dolls as toddlers, featuring a bobble-head, glittery eyes as well two exclusive Shopkins that magically function by playing with them. Various Playsets were also released under the “Kindi Fun” name tag. Unlike the rest of the franchise, the Kindi Kids line of dolls are meant for preschoolers. This is the only line of the “Shopkins” series to currently be ongoing.

The list of dolls released include:

Snack Time Friends

Fun Time Friends

Dress Up Friends

Kindi Fun Oven

Scented Big Sisters

Sweet Treats Friends

Scented Baby Sisters

Dress Up Magic

Show & Tell Pets

Party Pets

Playsets Dolls

Kindi Kids Minis

Kindi Kids made a spin-off, called Kindi Kids Minis featuring miniature versions of the ten-inch dolls, but still with the bobble-head feature and glittery eyes. Various playsets were made featuring vehicles like scooters, motorcycles, and cars, and a school bus playset, each with exclusive minis. The line was released early in January 2021 (Amazon) and February 2021 (retailers) respectively.

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Kindi Mini Vehicles

Playsets

Media

Web series

In August 2014, Moose Toys built brand awareness with their Shopkins short cartoon videos on their YouTube channel “Shopkins World” (Now known as “MooseTube Squad” to promote other toys by Moose),[4] but it was the YouTube videos of consumers unwrapping and playing with the toys that helped bring the line to mainstream prominence.[11][12] Canadian-based WildBrain distributes the webisodes on the WildBrain - Cutie Cartoons channel. The series would end after 85 episodes during the release of Season Ten.

Movies

An animated film called “Shopkins: Chef Club” was released on DVD October 25, 2016 by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment to promote the sixth season of Shopkins toys. The movie had mostly positive reviews, although some reviewers had concerns at the overt consumerism.[13]

A sequel, “Shopkins: World Vacation” was released on October 11, 2017, to promote the toys for Season 8, and also the first to feature a guest star, YouTuber CookieSwirlC. Another sequel, “Shopkins: Wild”, was released on March 1, 2018, on theaters in Australia and April 17, 2018, on DVD to promote the toys for Season 9.[citation needed]

Licensed merchandise

McDonald's Happy Meal Toys

In December 2015, Moose Toys partnered up with McDonald's to release Happy Meal-exclusive Shopkins, mainly based on items found from the fashion department. The same toys were released in France in 2017, and later Mexico in 2018.

In January 2018, McDonald's released “Happy Places” themed furniture Shopkins toys based on one of their spin-off lines of the toys.[14] The toys were later released in Southeast Asia.

Another spin-off line, Cutie Cars Happy Meal toys were released in 2019.

Shopkins Direct

From May 2017 to March 2018, Moose Toys partnered up with subscription box licensee, CultureFly, to promote "Shopkins Direct" which was a subscription box with Shopkins accessories and merchandise.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Shopkins™ Is The Biggest Tiny Toy Crossing Retail Registers, With Season Two Characters To Continue Sales Momentum". PR Newswire. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  2. ^ "2015 to be a strong year for Shopkins".
  3. ^ "Shopkins Inventor Among Toy Nominees".
  4. ^ a b Nechamkin, Sarah (22 September 2015). "How Shopkins Became the Biggest Tiny Toy on the Planet". Racked. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  5. ^ Cam Lindsay (27 August 2015). "Shopkins the latest toy craze to captivate Canadian kids | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  6. ^ Lebar, Erin. "Girls (and parents) snapping up Shopkins, the latest collectible trend". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  7. ^ Van Estrop, Chad (15 November 2014). "Christmas 2014: Best toys and gifts for boys and girls". Herald Sun. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Moose Toys™ New Little Live Pets™ Birds Look and Sound Like a Real Pet Bird - Business Wire". 31 July 2014.
  9. ^ Jill Thompson. "How Many Shopkins are there total". spkfans.com. Jill Thompson. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  10. ^ "ShopkinsWorld.com". ShopkinsWorld. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  11. ^ Moose Toys (24 November 2014). "Shopkins™ Is The Biggest Tiny Toy Crossing Retail Registers, With Season Two... -- LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --".
  12. ^ "Toymakers turn to YouTube to grab kids' attention | Lexington Herald-Leader". Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  13. ^ Jill Thompson. "Shopkins Chef Club Movie Reviews". Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  14. ^ Michalik, Maddie. "Moose Toys, McDonald's Partner for Shopkins Happy Meal Toys". The Toybook. The Toybook. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  15. ^ "CultureFly Announces Shopkins Direct". StreetInsider.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.

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