Barbie popularity soars ahead of cinema release

Barbie fever is spreading across Europe, according to PriceSpy, the price and product comparison service. Data from the site reveals the Finnish and the French are currently going the most wild for Barbie, with Brits firmly in the middle of the five countries in the study.

Popularity soars whilst prices fall in some countries

The popularity of Barbie products amongst European consumers has skyrocketed compared to a year ago*:

• Finland - up 610%

• France - up 471%

• UK - up 292%

• Sweden - up 236%

• Norway - up 52%

Interestingly - and going against usual supply and demand trends - prices** have been taking different directions in different markets. Barbie fans in the UK will be happy to see that prices are currently on a downward slope:

• France - average price down 19%

• UK - average price down 18%

• Finland - average price up 19%

• Sweden - average price up 22%

• Norway - average price up 23%

According to PriceSpy, half of Barbie items on its site have fallen in price in the last six months***.

Liisa Matinvesi-Bassett, UK country manager at PriceSpy, comments: “It’s very unusual for prices to fall as popularity grows. Barbie fans in the UK should take advantage of this and snap up bargains when they see them. It’s a safe bet that prices will begin creeping up as the release of the film nears.”

Barbie houses, unicorns and planes the most popular

The variety of Barbie related items on the market is still growing, despite the doll first launching an impressive 64 years ago. The most popular Barbie items over the last six months across the five countries in PriceSpy’s study span from Barbie houses, to unicorns, to planes:

1. Barbie Malibu House

2. Barbie Dreamhouse

3. Barbie Fashionistas Ultimate Closet Doll and Accessory

4. Barbie Cutie Reveal

5. Barbie Dreamtopia Magical Lights Unicorn

In the UK specifically, the most popular items have been:

1. Barbie Pilot Doll

2. Barbie Malibu House

3. Barbie Dreamhouse

4. Barbie Dreamplane Playset

5. Barbie 3in1 Dream Camper

Data

*Based on clicks on PriceSpy between 14th December 2022 - 14th June 2023

**Average weighted price across all Barbie products listed on PriceSpy between 14th December 2022 - 14th June 2023

***Of Barbie products that received at least one click between 14th December 2022 - 14th June 2023