IKEA Says Orangutan Plush Faces Local Shortages After Viral ‘Punch’ Videos

Overview

• Videos of Punch, a baby macaque at Japan’s Ichikawa Zoo, clutching the Djungelskog orangutan plush went viral and set off an international buying rush.
• IKEA states demand for the toy is unprecedented, with sales far above typical levels in recent days.
• The retailer refutes claims of a global out-of-stock, confirming shortages in specific markets including Japan, the United States, and South Korea.
• Store checks show the plush remains widely available in parts of Europe such as France, while some U.S. locations like Atlanta and San Francisco report empty shelves.
• Japanese store listings indicate restocking the week of March 2, and national branches in Spain and the UK have referenced the trend in promotional posts.