Bunnings box bears: Hardware giant sparks social media frenzy over blind mystery boxes

Bunnings has sparked a social media frenzy around its collectibles range, which include blind mystery boxes featuring miniature bears, as well as mini toolkits and buckets.

The hardware giant did the heavy lifting for its parent Wesfarmers, bringing in $20.4 billion of the group’s total full-year revenue of $47.3b as demand across home improvement, repairs and maintenance lifted sales.

But the real star of the show was Bunnings’ $9.50 mini bears, a range of plushie key chains sold in a blind‑box format, just like the viral Labubu.

“(The blind boxes are) a great example of the breadth and diversity of the Bunnings offer,” Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott said.

“It also shows that the product range is continuing to evolve to meet all age groups. A lot of kids, a lot of families love going to Bunnings.

“It’s often part of the weekend ritual to take the family to Bunnings and having products like this that appeal appeal to families, appeal to kids, and even some adults is fantastic.”

Bunnings has also released other mini items in the past, including the viral mini bucket and a mini toolbox to help organise smaller items in customers’ workshop.