Over $26,000 worth of Jellycat toys were stolen from an independent store in Somerset, England, on March. 30. The burglary took place around 4:40 a.m. The incident highlights a growing trend of thefts targeting the beloved children’s plush toys.
CCTV footage captured a man and a woman peering through the shop window roughly 20 minutes before the burglary took place. Shortly after, a silver Renault Twingo was seen driving past the store. Authorities believe the vehicle may have been connected to the incident.
At around 4:40 a.m., two individuals wearing balaclavas were caught on camera entering the store. They were seen carrying large bags and quickly grabbing as many of the Jellycat stuffed animals as possible before fleeing the scene.
Paul Pimlott, a company secretary told the BBC they rammed into the shop “eight times” using a wooden post as “a battering ram.” – BBC
The Jellycat Price Surge
Over time, the price of Jellycats has surged. What was once simply a child’s favorite stuffed animal has now become a prized collectible. While the average Jellycat typically retails for $20 to $30 at most stores, second-hand listings on platforms like eBay have seen rare models being resold for as much as $3000.
With the rise in prices, especially for rare or discontinued Jellycats, they’ve become prime targets for theft. Thieves steal them with the intent to resell them on websites like eBay, where collectors will pay a premium for these sought-after toys.
How Shops Are Fighting Back
The rise in theft has forced retailers to tighten security on these stuffed animals, with security tags now attached to many of the toys, CCTV cameras monitoring the store floors, and Jellycats locked behind glass cabinets to protect them from thieves.
Retailers have also begun monitoring resale websites, actively searching for stolen Jellycats being sold online.
One shopkeeper, who runs a garden centre in the south of England, says he watched on CCTV as a woman concealed Jellycats in a pram carrying her child. He says he later managed to identify the woman by searching resale websites and found the stolen goods being sold on a Vinted profile belonging to her husband, although the woman and her husband deny any illegal activity.- The Guardian.
The Jellycat Viral Effect
The rise in popularity of Jellycats can be attributed to their strong online presence, with their TikTok account having 1.5 million followers. Is the growing rise of their online presence contributing to their value?
What is it about jellycats that makes them so valuable? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!
