"Unable to complete purchase without providing phone number," a Shanghai netizen complains! A well-known chain store responds.

In recent days

Multiple netizens from Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Guangdong

posted on social platforms

saying that

when buying products at Miniso

the store clerk told them they needed to

register as a member first

otherwise they couldn’t check out

This matter has sparked controversy

Some netizens said

that member codes need to be shown only when purchasing blind boxes

but other netizens also said

that when buying other daily necessities,

they were also told they needed to show a member code

In response to this issue, on March 27, a relevant person in charge at Miniso told reporters that, to effectively protect consumers’ fair purchasing rights and create a more fair and transparent shopping environment, starting from December 15, 2025, Miniso’s nationwide stores and official online channels will implement a member-exclusive purchase limit policy for collectible toy (潮玩) products. “Miniso stores have always placed signs for member purchase limits in the collectible toy area. Before checking out, the cashier will also ask questions.”

Miniso checkout counter posted a related notice

On March 27, the reporter visited a Miniso store in Tianhe District, Guangzhou. On the checkout counter of this store, a notice is posted. The notice states that only Miniso members may purchase collectible toy (潮玩) products, and each member is limited to purchasing 2 sets of series products per day. A store clerk at the shop revealed that this rule is intended to prevent scalpers. The reporter’s own test found that daily necessities could be purchased without showing a member code, but when buying blind boxes, a member code was required.

A Miniso store in Guangzhou

Multiple collectible toy specialty stores

do not have such a mandatory requirement

TOP TOY, a trend-toy collection shop

is also a brand under Miniso’s group

The reporter visited a TOP TOY store in Guangzhou and found through testing that buying blind boxes does not require showing a member code. The store clerk said the store would not force consumers to register as members, but the store recommends using a member code to buy, because consumers can receive benefits such as points.

A TOP TOY store in Guangzhou

The reporter learned from Pop Mart that Pop Mart stores will not force consumers to provide their phone number to register as members, but if consumers need points, they can provide a member code. 52toys (Note: IP toy company) also said that stores would not require consumers to provide a phone number.

Source | News Workshop, Nanfang Metropolis Daily

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