Hello Kitty Overconsumption is Out of Control!

[@SocialSymone]

Are you a member of Hello Kitty Mafia? Is everyone doing too much? What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve seen people do to get their hands on a limited-edition item, Were you shocked? Do you think viral trends like Hello Kitty for profit lead to financial strain for consumers or is it just "fun"? Have you ever found yourself caught up in a shopping frenzy because of a viral trend? Also what is your phone 🔋on? I'm on 61% 😭

[@lanbao2010]

The main question to ask is: “is it in the budget?” It’s not really up to us to judge what brings someone joy if it doesn’t hurt anyone else.

[@JoseHernandez-gy7qu]

It is girl if it’s just following trends and fighting over objects 🤣

[@tinylittlebutstillalion4101]

I suppose if you are a Fan since you where a little girl, i might understand that you would buy a thing or two as a grown woman, maybe for your own kids. No, i am lying i so not Understand it at all, but then again i do not understand hello kitty, so maybe it is just me😂.

[@stephanied6711]

Nope but I'm gonna go to my voya account and get stock rn

[@MJ_Solo]

I’m an OG Hello Kitty Mafia member for the past like, 20+ years, I don’t really get this craze, you can literally find hello kitty everywhere including dollar stores. When this craze is over, ima go get her items from the goodwill like I have gotten in the past

[@TravellerZasha]

Here's the thing, Hello Kitty is literally everywhere it's not rare or even luxury. Me and my friends love Hello Kitty and guess where I saw hello kitty, at the dollar store. Buying for the sake of reselling pisses me like can't people just maybe enjoy the hello kitty without social media? Hello Kitty has been around for like 50+ years!

[@kerri6011]

I feel the exact same way she's so abundant and I love Sanrio that I don't even feel tempted to grab her

[@kellygreengables3936]

@@TravellerZasha Agreed! There are so many other characters in the lineup that I feel don't get nearly as much love and are more rare. Even some of the limited edition hello Kitty stuff isn't that cool so I don't get the hype.

[@NunyaNomi]

When my daughter was little we got all of it at thrift stores for $1-$2 a piece she even had a lamp, a radio, and an easy bake oven. Then I sold all of it at a garage sale and doubled my money.

[@stanlevi2927]

If people are willing to pay extra money for the items for resale, then thats on the buyers. They may be annoying to customers but the stores love them for buying so much

[@flohough1870]

@@kellygreengables3936 YES! Pochacco is my favorite and I have several things with him or Hello Kitty. Several is ENOUGH. They are things I love and use/wear.

[@annananners100]

in 4th grade i had a friends mom tell me i was "too old" for my hello kitty backpack. that same grown woman is now regularly hunting for hello kitty and sanrio things for her now adult daughter because "theyre just so cute" so they can post their hauls on instagram. the switch up was insane.

[@Someone-kg8qf]

Anyone that wants to say that about my HK bags or clothes can stuff it. Been a fan since the mid 80s, still a fan.

[@liz_violet]

omg its like that with EVERYTHING now! ma made me throw away the toybox at 13, now i gotta rebuy the stuff I wanted most, while I gotta stop ma from mickey mouse-ifying the whole house. anime and video games were weird just a decade ago!

[@Yzzami]

It’s not even that cute of a franchise. It’s kinda a boring forgettable design ‘,:l

[@TRUMPmyOSHI]

I used to be ostracized for like anime. Now the same popular kids love anime.

[@444brianna]

what a hypocrite

[@liveesunflower]

What re-sparked the Hello Kitty reemergence? I know she never really went away but the obsession is crazy!

[@kellygreengables3936]

I think it started with people rediscovering their love for Hello Kitty and friends (and other cute/kawaii things like Squishmallows) in the pandemic. It's nostalgic and having cute things can help you feel better.

[@SocialSymone]

Looking at the stock price it looks like they just been on the rise since the 90s, but the uptick this year in the stock price tells me people have been buying buying!

[@SocialSymone]

A lot of crazes stem from the pandemic, it's wild!

[@jordanmincey2846]

Its also her 50th anniversary this year so sanrio has been putting out limited stuff for the celebration. I love Hello Kitty but this is insane. I own a few items of her but I love her as a character ​@@SocialSymone

[@vl9290]

Also she just had her 50th anniversary (I worked Sanrio at SDCC so there was a lot of intensity)

[@sweetesthoneybee]

As an Asian, they need to go to Asian markets, she’s everywhere and more unique. Why suddenly so crazy? She’s always been around. What’s so special now?

[@somerandomviewer7803]

I don’t know I’m guessing these ladies never went to the mall in the 90s and early 00s as Sanrio had stores in malls and still have their official website you can buy this stuff on.

[@HellnVee]

To me it’s just because I loved her then and it’s a cute thing I can share with my kids and I still love Sanrio (not just HK but Kuromi is probably my favorite) but these chicks are on another level and now I’ve become the annoying one searching for the few items I actually want

[@michiko9075]

the woman who took the hello kitty figure out that other woman's hand was ballsy, these women clearly have never been told no in their lives

[@junicornplays980]

Not everywhere has an Asian market unfortunately. :(

[@meowbruhhh4586]

Tiktok probably ngl. If somonething goes crazy there suddenly everyone is a hello kitty fan since they were 1 month old or sumn.

[@2alien4earth2human4space]

Social media has RUINED everything related to shopping. Going into TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods was a mystery. Now people are fighting over discounted items 😂😂😂😂

[@SuperMonaLisaBros]

And Ross

[@paulettejordan8505]

As a Hello Kitty fan, I do not claim the people who are fighting at these stores. It's never that serious!

[@srslysatoru]

Fr never that serious I love hello kitty and Sanrio but I do not have the time or energy to go from store to store to find hello kitty merch or to even fight for it pleaseee.

[@into_folklore1]

fr like if im holding something in my hand and u snatch it ima be mad but unless it’s like something i NEED like right then and there it’s not worth it 😭 (me knowing asf i would grab it back outta their cart if they took sm outta my hand)

[@jacobperez8921]

Exactly. 💯

[@TocaMatcha]

Fr, I loveeeee hello kitty, and when I see hello kitty stuff I usually like yk, gasp, and say it’s cute, but NEVER and I mean NEVER would I ever fight over a hello kitty item.

[@reiyasart]

As someone with a Hello Kitty obsession I’ve had to refrain from buying too much so I just save my dream collection in a Pinterest board lol.

[@SocialSymone]

That's actually a great idea and keeps you from spending your harder and money, or spending within your limits! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@HellnVee]

Exactly! I saved up and just gave in and bought a resellers blanket but she sold it very cheap so I finally got my blanket. I’m tired of going in and finding nothing. Anything I’ve found this Halloween season was my husband buying it for me because he knows it’s such an annoying struggle. I don’t even try anymore. I don’t want every single item and the ones I do I can’t find. I’m not going to be a million things just to compensate

[@maureenlovesskz]

Same😂

[@JLive-jt6jc]

To fight in Marshall’s over a discounted hello kitty is insanity. To film yourself sneaking into the employee back only section is crazy work.

[@SloanePaoPow]

People need to question their consumerist hyperfixations. There's usually something there: They're sad, they're stressed, they need a distraction, but the last thing they need us to buy a ton of stuff. And I say this as someone who has had bouts of consumerist hyperfixations. My purchases have never fixed my underlying problems in the long run. Ever.

[@mirimariana]

Seen people dumping their 50+ stanley cup collection to make space for the hello kitty collection, omg 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@subjecttochange2069]

THIS!!!!!

[@NunyaNomi]

I like craft supplies 😊 Making something usually scratches an itch to buy something “pretty” and it occupies my mind.

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

To me that thing is overwhelming and/or boredom, specially during the pandemic, 2021-2022 were the worst years. However, I had to deal with the amount of things I have and so far my no buy year has been successful. I went to therapy last year to learn to cope with anxiety.

[@cutecheerfreak1]

​@@mirimarianaThat's textbook shopping addiction.

[@rosavoid]

I hate that it’s slowly happening to peanuts and snoopy in particular

[@gwennorthcutt421]

ive seen it around adn im like huh. did something happen w the IP or something lately?

[@kutie1016]

I was DEVASTATED when all my Sanrio Hello Kitty stores closed! Ppl didn't want Hello Kitty enough to keep them open in the states! Now everyone is going crazy for her! We could've just kept the stores but yall didn't want her back then! 😭 We should get the Sanrio stores back 🥺

[@dismurrart6648]

These types only want it because it's in marshalls

[@Volundur9567]

​@@dismurrart6648they just wanna make bars. They do this for literally everything hyped up. They dgaf about Hello Kitty or anything hype.

[@user09813]

I think the hunt is thrilling. If the Sanrio store is just here, I don't think the trend will be here.

[@2alien4earth2human4space]

Thiiiiiis. I had a hidden Hello Kitty store in my local Chinatown and right after my bf got me this giant HK plush they closed down because nobody ever went in there. Now they outside acting a fool.

[@naimasophie]

​@@user09813exactlyyyyy

[@TheModalia]

"Don't let the things that you love, own you." SIS, PUT IT ON A T-SHIRT.

[@bloom2663]

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19

[@beanybean000]

and in two months allllll this stuff is going to be hitting the thrift store....

[@SocialSymone]

I don't know the resale market for hello Kitty booming online!

[@dynogamergurl]

And that’s where I’ll right now with all the singles (dollar bills) hitting it like it’s a strip club getting all the stuff I want for hopefully affordable prices. (Because unfortunately even thrift stores aren’t affordable 😢)

[@Someone-kg8qf]

​@@dynogamergurl My friend has found me secondhand HK stuff, and I have no doubt that more will show up in thrift shops. I've been a fan since the 80s and none of my stuff is going anywhere, though lol It's not a phase, for me at least..

[@Th3_S1lly]

Or worse the trash

[@Yourlocalosers]

The way they all bullied the 2020 hello kitty girls and called them cringe but now they are all obsessed ☠️

[@barbarag1452]

YES!

[@jiayilu8995]

I wonder if this level of hunting is triggered by Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary this year.

[@SocialSymone]

I THINK SO! I read that this was the 50th in an article.

[@jiayilu8995]

@@SocialSymone I saw Hello Kitty on Time magazine cover the other day then I walked away and didn’t buy the magazine or any Happy Kitty stuffs that day, considering I used to save up monthly allowance money for a limited edition Hello Kitty mug when I was in high school…

[@kellygreengables3936]

@@jiayilu8995 Definitely!! And there have been so many collabs with companies/brands like McDonald's, Uniqlo,PIXI, other IPs like YugiOh, etc.

[@BlackGothGirl1]

It’s been going on before this year. I work retail

[@Sassyellechica]

Yep it is

[@bxfbbxcbxc5328]

I’m a big, grown 30 year old woman and I love Hello Kitty merch. Everyone perceives me based on my appearance as a tough, aggressive Black woman and make assumptions about me. But I’m very soft, feminine, and vulnerable inside, and Hello Kitty kind of is a symbolizes that for me. I feel like my expressions of femininity has to be almost over the top for people to treat me as such.

[@TeneishaDean]

relatable

[@junicornplays980]

So relatable! I think this is way "coquette" fashion has taken off among Black women and girls as well.

[@gwennorthcutt421]

fellow associate (30s, sanrio fan)! i like cinnamoroll bc he's a gnc dog and I relate to that as a butch who likes bright colors and pastels. its great when hobbys can represent our selves like, express a part of us that other ppl overlook. i dont always "read" as butch bc of my long fabio hair. I'm white so I dont share the exact experience of course, but i think its important to reach out and find commonality with other people. :D im really sorry people make assumptions. Black women get masculinized/desexed so often, when Black women and girls should get to be as tender and girly and delicate as anyone else. You're definitely not the only one I've heard being frustrated about having to overperform hyperfemininity to be seen as girly, so you're not alone.

[@SuperMonaLisaBros]

Well they're just racist and ableist.

[@carris2scents57]

I miss the days when you just go into a store a see something you like. These people just want stuff because other people are getting it 🤣🥴

[@user-kpkxgtj]

If it's not some trendy cup it's a so-called investment purse or some other cult item... Sometimes it feels like we are operating on 15 shared brain cells 🤣🤣🤣

[@theladynextdoor313]

Agreed. There isn’t much for originality anymore and it’s so sad and kind of disgusting IMO.

[@pisceanbeauty2503]

That has always been a thing.

[@sl33pytbhh]

@@theladynextdoor313that’s why I’m off most social media KZbin is all I have and I’m so close to just deleting KZbin too 😩😩

[@maureenlovesskz]

Fr

[@amandabottoms1]

Thrift shops gonna be lit next year

[@alexandriadillhoff7069]

Wow, as a mom whose 5 year old likes Hello Kitty, this is ridiculous. I found out about all this when I bought my daughter a doll for Easter last year, and my niece was "shocked" that we were able to "get" her one. 😂

[@SocialSymone]

She was probably thinking you had to bust some heads to get it, Like these people on here... 😂 Likely thinking, "Is mom a part of the Hello Kitty Mafia?"

[@alexandriadillhoff7069]

@SocialSymone Haha when in reality I walked in and was like "Cat, Pink, Under $5, Check, on to candy" 😂😅

[@jadorerose3816]

And i think the decision i made to delete social media really was the best thing i could ever do. Trying to have financial goals while learning self control is difficult to do when seeing things like this on social media.

[@akaneakane1969]

I have a roommate who's been super into Hello Kitty ever since I met her like 10+ years ago, and every present I give her for every occasion has to be Hello Kitty themed. As a result, I'm looking for Hello Kitty items all the time now, trying to get ideas for the next birthday or Christmas or whatever. It feels like I've accidentally joined the craze 😅

[@SocialSymone]

😂 You're an accidental member of Hello Kitty Mafia!

[@tinywalnut6337]

STOP FOLLOWING TRENDS YOU SHEEP nah I'm just kidding. That's cute.

[@soupy_soup2]

Some people really need to check their consuming habits. This is exactly what these companies want us to do, buy copious amounts of stuff to line their pockets. And no buying the newest of whatever’s trendy is not going to make you happy. Trust me I’ve tried. I really don’t understand why people are so obsessed with Hello Kitty now. It’s not a new thing. It’s been around for over 50 years

[@aceofpurity]

I think since it’s all feminine and cute, women can just obsess over it and finally be soft and vulnerable. It’s also how women get when their Inlove so

[@nikkiregsdesigns]

With social media being such a huge influence on what we buy, we need to ask ourselves do we really want or need this? Most times it's no. Say no to hello kitty!

[@SocialSymone]

I agree some people actually like it, but when there are trends and fads and people just wanna participate, it starts getting a little ridiculous! And I think people forget that they are spending Real money on these items. I know people think it's a game, but this ain't Monopoly Money! 💖

[@BlasianLynn]

This has nothing to do with social media. Everything isnt about YOUR generation. Or YOUR country or so on and so forth. Hello kitty isnt even western. Like the out of touchness of you all on this specific topic def smells of not well educated on Japanese culture. This is the issue when we over separate things from culture. Hello kitty has ALWAYS had a cult like following. And she always will. Especially with the lore that has grown to surround her Put some respect on East Asia okay 😂😂😂😂

[@omotayosatuyi252]

facts but most people don't do that much thinking lets be honest

[@omotayosatuyi252]

@@BlasianLynn Social media has a big influence on what we buy remember the stanley craze

[@Gretelsbetterhalf]

⁠​⁠@@BlasianLynn no one separated it from anything. Hello Kitty has been a global phenomenon since the start, it’s not just a Japanese culture thing. And yes, different generations are going to have different experiences with HK because that’s how long she’s been around, and discussing these things is how discourse works. Plus social media plays a major part in the conversation being had in this video, not with HK overall. Is Sanrio paying you to be this obtuse on the internet? 😅

[@alinahussain4842]

I was at Marshall’s finding home stuff and I was contemplating on buying something for storage when an older woman maybe mid 30s to 40s, comes up past my left side and says “hello kitty” in a weird deep tone, grabs the set of white/pink hello kitty soup mugs and walks away. I went back to my business but man was that weird… yall gotta chill

[@ElinWinblad]

lol older women 30-40 😂😂😂 everything is relative i guess someone would think your old woman compared to them

[@alexispascal9245]

😂😂😂😂

[@levithebaddest2369]

calling someone who’s mid 30s an older woman is crazy

[@annaly2318]

hello kitty isnt even that rare... as a hello kitty gurlie theyre like everywhere these days 😭😭

[@junyaiwase]

Yeah and it was also huge 15 years ago, HK has been one of the most successful franchises for awhile now, this craze is mind boggling

[@Luvesehk]

Literally!! I’ve never had a problem buying a Sanrio item & The other characters are cuter IMO

[@johanseongslonglosteyesigh7926]

Don't let these people find out abt miniso ONG

[@Wavves83]

It’s because of social media. They make anything go viral and seem important when it’s not. It’s crazy. How about using the platform to go outside, pick up trash or plant a tree lol

[@danmakes2497]

​@@johanseongslonglosteyesigh7926 I don't think they care; they only care about her in Marshall's and TJ Maxx

[@GoingGhost.]

I remembered getting bullied in school for having a cinnamonroll keychain on my backpack in junior high! And also wearing hello kitty shirt in high school! And now everyone loves it! The heck!

[@awsblacknight6956]

This is such a stupid trend... Hello Kitty has existed for so long but only now are people buying it like crazy??!!

[@Someone-kg8qf]

Fan for almost 4 decades. Now that all the normal Sanrio stores are gone I'll admit I've bought some HK in Walmart ect.

[@jat1837-d8d]

0:24 oh! please please PLEASE stop calling me out the blankets are so cute

[@CurlfulThoughts]

This is crazy. I literally see Hello Kitty merch everywhere. It's not that serious. If the store is sold out, all of these items are on Amazon. On another note, these trends are ridiculous. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@gwennorthcutt421]

ive literally seen some of these halloween ceramics on sale online too at like, hot topic or even the sanrio website itself. maybe bc they arent as discounted?

[@mahdireza5695]

Glad to be a Chococat fanatic instead since he's not that popular. He's kinda like the black cat boy version of Hello Kitty??? He's adorable and aesthetic. (Underrated Sanrio character btw! 😭💔)

[@Desertopals]

Chococat is the best 💖💖

[@boob3subs581]

ugh I love chococat so bad :(( I used to have a little chococat plushie as a kid I loved him sm

[@kiwijuice662]

i love chococat!!

[@croftyhater]

I actually love chococat cause he looks exactly like my cat 😭

[@Flustered_Potato]

That’s what I feel about Tuxedo Sam.

[@vickieclark5931]

People complain that they can't pay their rent or electric bill, but they can go out and spend hundreds on this Hello Kitty phase?? Talk about screwed up priorities.

[@kd_16420]

they’re definitely putting those purchases on their credit cards and going into debt because of it

[@liamcollinson5695]

I doubt poor people are doing this instead of eating or paying rent most of these just seem like probably rich influencers more than anyone else

[@susannpatton2893]

​@@liamcollinson5695these women in them stores on this video look average every day consumer. Not one looks like an "influencer" Them folks ridiculous 😂😂😂 Influence. Not me. I do my own thing.

[@Egh0127]

I don't think the same girls buying a bunch of hello kitty are the same ones complaining about not being able to pay their rent lol

[@CocoaPuff01]

Clearly it's not the same group of people that are complaining about rent, who are buying these collector items. Use common sense.

[@naobunn9841]

as someone literally OBSESSED with hello kitty, I do not understand these people. 😭😭

[@maureenlovesskz]

Same

[@mirimariana]

First stanley cups, and now this. People acting like its Black friday for random stuff 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@SuperMonaLisaBros]

Friday the 13th

[@brittanismith8611]

I’m so glad I’m not on TikTok because I never heard about these trends til it hits KZbin in a video like this 😂 people are crazy!

[@theladynextdoor313]

Same! 😂

[@amandalinthicum1220]

You should do a video on Disney adult women. They spend thousands on going to the parks, getting merchandise in the parks and going into debt just so they can live out their childhood fantasy.

[@KateBGreat]

I second this! Do a Disney adult deep dive!!

[@anncromarty2590]

Kinda like women who want to have a 50k wedding.....childhood fantasy too.

[@nursedru1548]

1000% and living in Orlando it’s rampant. You will never get a break from the Disney adults. 🥲

[@nursedru1548]

@imjustagirl-x8h girl it’s a weird cult behavior. I literally live next to it and have only been there twice. And this is coming from a person who’s on Disney+ constantly I love their movies. Florida has the worst weather with its humidity so to think that people go on a daily/weekly basis and pay so much for overpriced merchandise and food makes no sense to me. Esp the food and wine festival! To find out that I’m paying almost $200 to go to an event where none of the food at this event is included in the price makes no sense. And you’re paying $20 for drinks that are literally 3 ounces. Even if you have an annual pass, it doesn’t make sense financially when you take into account how much you need to spend once you get there. And the fast passes don’t help you get through the rides. So you’re paying hundreds of dollars to basically tan in a group setting and listen to little humans cry (who probably won’t remember this experience mind you) all for the sake of “nostalgia.”

[@aliceinwonderland5439]

Why do you single out Disney adult women? What about Disney men too. 😑

[@midori1834]

I'm so glad I live in Japan so I don't have to deal with this bs

[@juliajs1752]

What a sad existence that must be. "Hey, I bought this new thing that I really, really wanted. And tomorrow I really, really want another new thing, and today's new thing will end up on a shelf among all the other pink clutter I have. I am such a happy, balanced, normal person, amiright?"

[@Raven74408]

I'm glad I learned early on that material things aren't going to fill that emptiness inside me. It might temporarily make me happy, but the novelty of that new shiny thing wears off fast. I find what truly fills that void is connection with nature and my fellow human beings. I love volunteering, helping people, and spending time outdoors.

[@theojjuiceisloose]

Thank you so much for making this babes, I LOVE Sanrio, always have since I was a little girl, but oh my god??? The amount of low quality shit these stores are pumping out and people are just EATING IT UP????? Like??? Baffles me.

[@st7rdst]

Hello kitty being everywhere is so normal honestly here in Asia, but the way they act in America JUST for simple objects like the blankets is crazy. Honestly theres too much trends going in and out quite fast in the US, so it makes sense that the overconsumption of the HK products is terrible. Unlike here usually in Asian countries, Sanrio isn’t usually just a trend, its kinda embedded everywhere. Stores, themed restaurants and cafes, which are all normalized here. Its definitely a bad ‘trend’ for overconsumption and consumerism in the US, people (adults) can be obsessed with certain topics or brands, but honestly i wouldn’t be obsessed over trends that will definitely not last more than 4 months. And definitely not when you don’t have the budget for it.

[@jochenkraus7016]

I think I've seen a photo of a Shinkansen train with Hello Kitty livery several years ago :-o

[@nothanks71]

In my country people don't act like this, so a lot of the Asian distributors for hello kitty tend to sell products that aren't seasonal, are comparable to regular products (eg a hello kitty themed water bottle is not more expensive than generic products) and are practical. It's so insane to see people freak out like this

[@nopalsito_]

I work at one of these stores and let me tell you these people are the WORST. so rude and nasty and constantly buying useless shit. It’s so sad that all they have to look forward to is spending money.

[@moonbat783]

It fine if you want cute clothes and decor but it shouldn't costs you a an arm, a leg and a trip to jail. You're still an adult and need to act like it.

[@jacobperez8921]

Seriously! These people are setting a bad example to the kids who are present with their families at these stores.

[@Ruthmarahill]

1:26 girl you know they don’t.

[@kellygreengables3936]

Sanrio and similar companies promote and collaborate with any and everyone. They will slap a cute character on anything and it entices people, especially collectors to buy and hoard.

[@SocialSymone]

BINGOOOOO 🎯

[@creepcraddle]

Im not about to fight someone over merch but I do love hello kitty because it was apart of my childhood and having a few cute hello kitty things makes me really happy. I can see how it could be easy to over consume but as long as people arent going broke over these products I don't see a problem. It's just how some people like to spend their money. I don't blame the marketers because if it's cute and it sells, they deserve the money

[@kellygreengables3936]

@@creepcraddle I agree that the whole purpose of the business is to market and sell. And Sanrio does that amazingly. And yes, people should be able to enjoy things. But there is a difference between enjoying something and over-consuming to to a point that's almost obsessive and can harm you financially.

[@sabrinathehotsinger]

right....why is sanrio collaborating with temu

[@robyngemelle5160]

I didn’t even know Hello Kitty made a comeback like that.

[@softhorror8779]

I’m autistic so it’s hard for me to let go of intense interests, Sanrio being one I had since I was a toddler. But even I know the craze is out of hand. Ofc I have nothing against adults with childish interests, as I am one, but I refuse to buy random merch just because of the character, the product has to have some appeal outside of the branding imo.

[@SocialSymone]

I appreciate you for sharing your perspective. Yeah, their appeal is massive to a wide variety of ages. They know it too! ❤️

[@chewie221b]

In 4:00 where Symone talks about people sneaking in the back of the store, I can definitely confirm that! I work at my local HomeGoods and sure enough, we had two girls go into our backroom warehouse and take 3 hello kitty blankets from our merchandise tanks where we flow our product. Although they still paid for them at the register, we pointed out that those blankets were not on the salesfloor. The girl buying them had her head down the whole time and said nothing. It was INFURIATING 🤬 These Hello Kitty fanatics really make our jobs stressful as it is, they're so annoying!

[@SuperMonaLisaBros]

MGMT needs to crack down on that immediately.

[@kimc181]

As someone who's loved Hello Kitty and Sanrio since she was a kid in the early 2000's, the "resurgence" and trend of her (and honestly trends in general) is still just absurd to me. She's always been around but the uptick in recent years is kinda crazy. I'd never buy any of those "new" items that they just slap her face on it and call it a day. Though I still have stuff from elementary school like my hello kitty wallet and a few small hello kitty figures from a birthday that are still in great condition, and still like very much 😅

[@creepcraddle]

I still have my really old calculator and pochacco glasses case. I love the older products

[@fangirlhello_emblems8894]

As someone who works at one of these stores, it has gotten out of hand!! We have multiple "regulars" who will wait outside before we open. I've seen some people stay ALL day and others will come back multiple times a day.

[@BetterwithTony]

Yes! I keep seeing people talk about this issue. Please make a video about juicy couture overconsumption too. I wanted cute juicy couture bags or wallets. I noticed every store I go too would be sold out of it because resllers would buy them out and resell them 😢

[@SocialSymone]

It's crazy! And I have seen bits and pieces of people on juicy. This is a great idea 💡 💕Thank you!

[@theladynextdoor313]

Is Juicy Couture a big thing again now??? I haven’t a clue about this stuff and I am grateful 😂.

[@starlitexo]

@@theladynextdoor313it’s bc of the nostalgia of the y2k era

[@BetterwithTony]

@@theladynextdoor313 yeah it’s definitely trending again and all the stuff keeps selling out in my area 😭

[@BetterwithTony]

@@starlitexo yess!!

[@nirrti7]

I'm screamin laughing at this. I've been into Hello Kitty for decades now with the stuffed animals and branded merch. I never thought my hobby would make it to the "cool" cycle. But here we are.😄😄😄

[@Rainandpetalseavesdrop]

Hello Kitty has always been cool

[@flavoredmints8094]

Literally went to walmart the other day and there was an isle stacked with the halloween hello kitty stuff then went back the next day and it was just about cleared

[@likeabun]

I love Hello Kitty and always have, but I would NEVER fight over Hello Kitty products, hide them in the stores, or hoard them! I have some cute stuff and I don't need anything else! It's like people see people showing off their obsessive behavior on TikTok and people jump on the bandwagon. It's a depressing hobby.

[@jiayilu8995]

In east Asia, buying cute unnecessary things is sort of getting emotional support 😅. When adults (women) see/use these cute things, they feel happy and healed.

[@SocialSymone]

I can understand that perspective, but most people aren't just buying one item so how much money until their " inner child is healed?" I'm no professional, but I think that someone who understands the psychology of minds could better assist with that then just buying the items over and over to end. ❤️

[@gwennorthcutt421]

@@nothanks71 wasnt hello kitty originally a mascot for stationary? like it was marketed toward office workers as a nice little pickmeup during a workday slog

[@KimandKamJam]

Listen, if I'm getting Sanrio merch, Im getting it FROM SANRIO! Directly 😂😂😂

[@lempiralives]

its still the same consumerism…

[@Kirstenkriskat]

Most of my Sanrio merch is discontinued stuff from the 2000’s, imported from Japan and I buy it secondhand. I swear Sanrio from Japan is so much cuter than the merchandise they sell over here. I also find that collecting items no longer in production is easier on the wallet since they’re hard to find (so I’m less likely to buy since I can’t always get my hands on it) but also cheaper.

[@keylimeyogurt_]

​@@lempiralives some of us do genuinely love Sanrio. It's okay to have stuff you collect. It's an issue when it's a passing trend. I also prefer Japanese Sanrio merchandise. It tends to feel more special as it's less impulsive to order it online or finding it at anime conventions.

[@lilyprettylamb]

@@Kirstenkriskatwaaayyy cuter

[@Maga_gata]

People almost killing each other just to get a toy for kids is insane, even worse seeing grown ass men in the middle of the fight 💀 people in 2024 officially lost it.

[@victoriaarriaga6420]

I work within the company, and i can confirm that some customers hide these hello kitty merch to buy later. This lady did the same thing, and a week later, she came back for them.

[@fangirlhello_emblems8894]

I work at one of these stores too, and I always shake my head in disappointment when I find a hello kitty stash, lol. I hate when they put breakables where they shouldn't be. And don't even get me started on all the empty hello kitty makeup boxes I find.

[@Sarah-gz4no]

It's so much fun to look people stash and then move them around 😂

[@laowaistudieschina7470]

I worked for a large retailer. At that time it was Rae Dunn items that were the rage. We all used to groan (quietly) when we saw carts laden with Rae Dunn merch, because we knew we'd be restocking half of it in a couple of months and putting it on clearance a month or two thereafter. Rinse and repeat with Hello Kitty.

[@rachelamber3227]

I really do love hello Kitty, but there is simply no way that I will go out of my way to consume this much hello kitty products. As much as I would like a hello Kitty ceramic, where am I gonna put that thing for real? But even some of the smaller things like make up or smaller. It’s now such a contest to get literally anything hello Kitty related at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. This is pathetic, peak consumerism. Cuz like what are we even doing? Fighting each other over hello Kitty? Bruh.

[@emelyramirez2871]

I really needed this. Time for some self-reflection. Not hello kitty obsessed, but just in general. Thank you. God bless.💜

[@sentientbeingslove]

I had no idea this was a thing right now. I have loved Hello Kitty for like 30 years. When I lived in Japan from '11-'14, I had everything from a Hello Kitty toilet paper cover to a rug, mugs, clothes & bags...Sanrio was everywhere from upscale department stores to dollar stores, and everyone always loved her...But that's the point, right? The stuff is just everywhere. I don't understand where the craze has come from, bc the merch is SO EASY to find.

[@Divinelywriting]

Good thing my favorite Sanrio character is My Sweet Piano and there’s no merchandise made for her. 😅 not even a cute plushie at all reasonable price. I ain’t paying $45 for a 6 inch plushie.

[@bge3328]

This feels exactly like the stanley cup and the tiny tote bags, or Kevin the carrot or all the Lilo and Stitch stuff. I think some people have to have something they are obsessed with and hunting. Also she has no mouth. Why is no one freaked out by that?

[@kerri6011]

lore wise she has no mouth because the creators wanted people to project their feelings onto her, and something about kindness or speaking from the heart I don't remember

[@mirimariana]

​​@@kerri6011 Isn't is because she was supposed to be a human girl wearing a cat mascot head, so thats why she has no mouth*?

[@kekef3620]

Lol, I have an old hello kitty tee shirt that I wore out the other day to run some errands and I got 2 separate compliments on it. I thought it was odd but now it makes sense. 😂

[@Kazelita]

People went crazy about the Yu-gi-ohXHello Kitty McDonald's toys where I live! Cinamoroll gets sold out the minute they restock her, she's impossible to find lol

[@SocialSymone]

I saw somebody in a video in McDonald's take the one that was on presentation. She said she got permission from the manager, but she didn't mention that in the video because she wanted it to go viral and it did. 😂 I hope nobody got any bright ideas to start stealing because of that!

[@vincent-uy8tm]

Cinnas a boy hes a male puppy

[@Pinkiyuh]

I love hello kitty, when i was little i had a bunch of hello kitty toys and everything, sanrio is like therapy or an escape world to me and it really was apart of my childhood. To see people buying all the hello kitty stuff and not even appreciating it.... Just cuz its a trend makes me mad ngl. But hey what am i gonna do i can't stop them... Its just sad

[@omotayosatuyi252]

Man this society is really insane man holy heck

[@arikalamari19]

to be fair it‘s american culture, black friday, iphones, cups and shit

[@coffeepandacat]

I literally walked by Hello Kitty stuff at Target today. What tik tok influencer or celeb made it so popular again? I know hello kitty has been a fandom for awhile but i haven't seen it popular since like 2006

[@daughterofsekhmet81]

I might be able to somewhat explain the Hello Kitty obsession. I'm gen x and absolutely loved Hello Kitty growing up, as did all my friends, but Sanrio stuff was _really_ hard to find. There was no internet to order it, basically if you didn't live near a Sanrio store or a little gift boutique that carried it, you just couldn't get it. It wasn't cheap either, so even when I could find it I could only afford maybe one stationery set or a wallet. I remember how excited I got the first time I saw a Hello Kitty item in Target around 20 years ago, I think it was a purse in the little girl's section but I instantly bought it. Nowadays Hello Kitty is everywhere which I'm very happy about, and some of us old-school Sanrio lovers are going a bit nuts making up for the scarcity of our childhoods. You young people don't know how hard it was to be a Sanrio girl back in the day lol. And most of us have kids of our own now and they love HK too, so naturally it's become a big trend. That said, storming TJMaxx and fighting over blankets is downright shameful. Greed and selfishness makes Hello Kitty cry. And resellers, AKA the scum of the earth, became aware of HK's popularity and are capitalizing on it. Thus creating the same scarcity that sucked so much when I was a kid 🤬 Why can't people just enjoy things normally?!

[@Dio_Florian]

Sanrio was founded on August 10, 1960, and Hello Kitty was made in 1974. For the past 64 to 50 years, Sanrio has been everywhere, from online to stores. You can find it anywhere. However, at the present time of 2024, now an event like this is happening?🤨

[@MJ_Solo]

This reminds me of the dads going to jail for literally bussing shots and killing peiple in a toys r us for “tickle me Elmo.” That was 12-15 years ago

[@bnadira212]

I remember that 😮

[@jjacks50]

Double that time frame. It was in 1996.

[@lorig7024]

My mom and I used to love going to the Sanrio store when I was a kid and the store smelled like strawberries. I still buy sanrio stationary sometimes to make lists/notes but this craze is so insane!

[@Madybananas]

They are absolutely gouging people over it too, it never goes on sale either. It's insane

[@hollytheanimalcrossingfan]

As someone who likes sanrio characters (mostly cinamoroll) this is insane. This reminds me of the sanrio animal crossing collab cards. I wanted them so bad but people where selling them for 50 dollars. And I bought it... Only to see that target had another restock... Now I have 2 sets because I lost one and recently found it. Imagine being a normal fan when someone else just tackles you for a blanket...

[@GraceLovett63]

I work in a store in the UK that sells food, home stuff, make up and clothes. And lemme tell you. We HAVE to reset the place at the end of the day. All your hidden bullcrap.. we gotta put it back. These people are making the employees job 10x times harder. This is so disrespectful! For some junk that you won't even like anymore in a few months time? Come on.

[@ladytye826]

This reminds me of the whole Beanie Babies pandemonium in the 90s. I can’t front tho because I was part of it along (thinking my tween self was gonna make a profit). 😂

[@lilyprettylamb]

My grandma was too, but I’m happy because she gifted me a beanie that is my prize possession. I like the idea of getting cute things to pass down to younger family members 💖🌈

[@opeyemiajagbe]

At this point it’s not so difficult to think the public is being intentionally conditioned to commit their livelihood into making the rich people richer. Maybe it’s been happening for a while now; but right now it’s our faces. Sad

[@summer5586]

People will complain they can’t afford to have kids but then will go into debt or spent their last dollar on every trend that comes around. They’ll make the argument that the current trend is “the one small thing that brings them joy” but it never ends. People need to start using their calculators and adding up how much they’ve spent on each trend. It can be really eye opening

[@vanessaa7602]

Rather spend MY money on me v. kids.

[@vivica8207]

I argue that we should all live in Hello Kitty Themed Homes. The world would be a better place.

[@SocialSymone]

😬 😬 😬

[@jaquilucetta5410]

Lol my art students were drawing their dream homes and I swear there were like five hello kitty houses 😅

[@yenfr5306]

No way I love the French style furniture too much. I also love the wooden furniture with the dark walnut color. They go so well with my green plants.

[@liahlove8297]

Lol cute, but im a sucker for modern decor or home styles 😅

[@french.25princess]

Hello Kitty isn't meant to be resold. It's only authentic with the price tag in tact and EVERY Sanrio item comes with a listed price on the item. The company's tagline is, "Little gift, big smile." Being able to find it at a discount is supposed to be for the community.

[@Nat-hu4gq]

Hello kitty has a huge Japanese cultural significance. I exclude people who participate in Japanese culture from this mess because I think they'd likely consume and collect hello kitty, anime and things like sumari swords. I have seen this at my local Marshalls, people run in and grabbing hello kitty make up brushes. It wasn't like a vintage hello kitty collectable or anything that was worth collecting

[@PochacooGal]

I used to work at T.J. Maxx The hello Kitty over consumption got so bad that we couldn’t hold items anymore. Employees couldn’t buy items anymore. Someone claimed that they put an item on hold they had to show ID. 😞

[@RatCakeParty]

i own hello kitty shorts and a hello kitty gundam but like thats it one was a gift the other was thrifted. cant imagine fighting over either

[@SocialSymone]

yeah, it's never worth putting the paws on somebody! 😂

[@RatCakeParty]

@@SocialSymone definitely not those people crazy

[@kipiekiee519]

Honestly ive started just taking photos of all my hello kitty finds. I've been on and off inlove with the sanrio cast forever, and now that they're back everywhere i've had to do Something to limit my spending. I can still feel happy knowing i found another cute item without needing to buy it only for it to sit unused in a corner of my room. I have enough sanrio merch already, i dont need more

[@ketchup8965]

I recently got into hello kitty/sanrio after never really being into her as a child. As I entered my later teenage years, I’ve noticed I’ve been trying to relive my childhood by collecting cute blindbag toys/accessories or keychains like Sanrio, popmarts, etc. My little sister loves hello kitty too and buys plushies of them and keychains, but you will NEVER catch me with like 30 hello kitty blankets or mugs or stanly cups. I feel like it’s different when it’s actual like toy/collectible merchandising versus household items like cutlery, blankets and other household items. Do I think having one or two hello kitty mugs is the end of the world? Of course not, but I feel like there is a serious issue with the overconsumption of hello kitty style home goods for some reason. There’s almost like mentality right now that if you see a regular blanket, you’re not that inclined, but if it has anything hello kitty on it, you need to buy it. It’s kinda scary ngl Lmaoo

[@Marhsie]

Omg finally someone talks about this! I work at a Burlington and I've seen people fight over the blankets multiple times. It's gone bad that some of the new employees are working here just to get the blankets before we put it out on the sales floor 😭

[@RACrochetDesign]

This behavior ruins things for other people. Just buy one and be done. There is no need to buy multiples just for you to either resell at astronomical price or hoard. At this point ,people value things over common sense

[@Kuroqueeni]

I had a hello kitty room since I was little . Always was a fan, this is honestly crazy

[@SCFLEUR]

I saw a huge amount of Hello Kitty themed items in my Marshall’s the other day. I was thinking man too bad I’m not interested in it like that because I could have been decked out. They had Hello Kitty themed stuff in housewares, textiles, car accessories etc. I didn’t know it was a thing like that lol 😆

[@ninijellybeanie6853]

“Hello kitty ain’t got no money to give y’all” TRUTH! I love this KZbinr xoxo

[@eliflames5157]

This is so weird to me cause I have always loved Sanrio characters. I just got Cinnamon roll and friends from a store called Buggy Busters . For like 5 dollars. I got a backpack and stationary set. I thought ....man am I to old for this? But these people are taking the cake on it. Fighting over it? That's crazy. And yes my 401k is fine

[@eliflames5157]

But I got this before I knew it was a resurgence trend though. I didn't even know till your video lol

[@creepcraddle]

Idk why everything is a trend. I've been loving Sanrio characters ever since my childhood. I think some of these people just want it for aesthetic reasons and thats fine but still

[@mirimariana]

​@@creepcraddle I saw someone say that people like thses dont have personalities, and just entertain themselves with whatevers popular

[@creepcraddle]

@@mirimariana That sounds likely tbh. I've known so many girls who all look like each other cause they all follow whatever is trendy at the moment. No personality outside what they buy. I think it's psychological so they can fit in

[@eliflames5157]

​@@creepcraddle same. I have been a fan since I was little . I'm 45 now and I would never go crazy like these people do. Heck I don't even own a Stanley lol

[@mrsvaldez]

I’m watching this after coming back from Marshall’s and being upset about not finding hello kitty items. You really opened my eyes bc I’m 24 and have 2 baby girls and I don’t have a savings that’s $1000 and you really proved a point, I need to save money instead of making Sanrio rich 🙏🏽

[@samanthafreeman4315]

Did we not just have a trend of underconsumption core?

[@jochenkraus7016]

But now it's, Idk, two or three weeks later so we need a new trend :-o In addition to that, not everyone follows every trend and some people have probably done "underconsumption" all the time in some way.

[@SocialSymone]

MUSTA BEEN BORING 😂 😂 😂

[@jochenkraus7016]

@@SocialSymone Making videos that you didn't buy a bunch of stuff might get repetitive after some time :-D

[@kolbor9253]

I feel bad for the workers that have to fix all around the store the stash items

[@Dominique129]

TJMaxx and marshalls & Home Goods needs to put a limit on all Hello Kitty items

[@tatertotsareprettygud]

I remember as a child getting made fun of for wearing Hello Kitty because it's too "childish" and now these people, same age as me, are now considering it this huge trend and buying out every Hello Kitty thing in stores. Figures.

[@nonamebae]

I’ve been a hello kitty fan for 20 years I hate to see this smh

[@Maga_gata]

Men hating on women for liking Hello Kitty and now they are obssessed with it. Ridiculous tbh.

[@koumota]

I absolutely adore Hello Kitty a lot ever since I was kid up until now but I don’t really collect her merchandise as much as a collector would. I think I have less than 20 Sanrio items I’ve been buying over the years. Buuutt Hello kitty prices be too much for my wallet so i skip out on them. It’ll be soo tempting but I have to ask myself if I really need it as bad. It’s crazy to see people fight over this… Idk cuz where I live at mostly all of the Sanrio stuff be on clearance. I still wouldn’t buy it, the only time I ever see this type of news be on social media, I never seen this irl lol

[@kistelkistel]

It's beanie babies and Elmo all over again 😂