McDonald’s McTalkie Toy Creates Frenzy in China, Selling Out in Hours and Fueling Resale Market.
McDonald’s has sparked a frenzy in China with its limited-edition “McTalkie” toy, designed to resemble McNuggets and fries. The toy’s popularity has surpassed even the chain’s classic McNuggets, selling out within an hour of its release and prompting a surge in online resale prices.
The McTalkie, available for purchase alongside a graffiti sticker for an additional RMB 38 (USD 5.2), was launched on May 22nd, ahead of China’s Children’s Day on June 1st. The overwhelming demand crashed the McDonald’s app and led to a rush for the toys at stores. A store manager in Nanjing reported that the McTalkie toys sold out within an hour of opening.
The toy’s popularity has spurred a lucrative resale market, with listings on online platforms like Goofish (Xianyu) reaching prices of RMB 39-70 (USD 5.3-9.6) – a significant markup from the original price. Scalpers have further capitalized on the demand, reselling the toys for as much as RMB 300 (USD 41.3), nearly ten times the original price.
The McTalkie’s popularity extends beyond the resale market, with enthusiasts even taking apart the toy to analyze its components. The discovery of a Broadcom BK4802 chip inside the toy led to a boost in the Nasdaq-listed company’s stock, with three consecutive limit ups.
To meet the high demand, McDonald’s has replenished its stock, announcing on May 29th via Weibo that it had restocked 200,000 more sets of the McTalkie toy.