Where to Buy Squishmallows in Canada
By Simon Hung
March 17, 2021They're round, they're soft, they're cute and they're taking over the internet – they're called Squishmallows and they're one of this year's must-have toys.
It's likely that you've seen the rotund plush figures before – Squishmallows have been around since 2017, but have only recently become a hit collectible reminiscent of the Beanie Babies craze from the mid-1990s. Squishmallow sales have reportedly tripled over the past six months and their popularity surge has been aided by viral memes on social media and widespread lockdowns, as hunting for rare Squishmallows has become a popular pandemic activity among avid fans.
The appeal of Squishmallows lie in their simplicity, as all varieties are bulbous-shaped with a velvety exterior and stuffed with puffy polyester, making them ideal for squeezing and hugging. There are over 800 Squishmallow characters available, each with a unique personality described on an attached tag, adding to their appeal and making them more relatable with fans.
For instance, Paulita the Cat is "the nap queen who loves to take naps almost all day," Leonard the Rainbow Lion is "a vegetarian who loves lentils, lasagna and learning how to code," while Stacy the Squid is "shy and prefers to be home with her friends or even by herself," which has endeared her to those with social anxiety.
Their immense popularity has also led to partnerships with Disney and Sanrio last year, which saw iconic characters like Buzz Lightyear, Chewbacca, Grogu (more affectionately known as Baby Yoda), Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh and others released in Squishmallow form.
Canadian Squishmallow prices typically range from $3.99 to $59.99 (depending on the size), as each character is available in upwards of 10 sizes from 3.5" keychain clips to giant 24" plushes – here are a few places where you can buy Squishmallows in Canada.
- Banff Gifts
- Claire's
- Costco
- Giant Tiger
- Indigo
- Kaiklo Gifts
- London Drugs
- Mastermind Toys
- Party Expert
- Playtime Toys
- Queenie's Cards
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Save-On-Foods
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Showcase
- Toys R Us
- Walmart
- Winners
Stock is limited at every retailer and most stores have had difficulties keeping up with the insane demand – for reference, Toronto-based small business Queenie's Cards recently told the Toronto Star that they've re-stocked Squishmallows every week since the holidays, but sell out almost immediately once they're listed online.
It's not just kids who have become obsessed with Squishmallows, as the huggable creatures are also highly sought-after by adults and collectors (it's not uncommon for young adults to own dozens, sometimes hundreds, of Squishmallows). This is especially true with hard-to-find characters like Belana the Cow and Kenny the Dragon, which has led to a third-party market of scalpers looking to capitalize on the craze by re-selling rare and limited-edition Squishmallows online – there are currently over 11,000 Squishmallow listings on eBay ranging in price from $50.00 to $2000.00(!).
Whether you're in it for the memes or the clout, the Squishmallow fervor is real, making it as good a time as any to officially join the Squishmallow Squad.
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