Fairprice Xtra launches its first-ever abalone plush market with adorable CNY plushies

Fairprice has been on a roll lately, with fresh spins on the grocery game such as Lotte Mart Express, in-store food courts, and even the world’s first Gen-AI-powered supermarket. 

Next up its sleeve: An abalone-market plush experience featuring the Abalone Darlings — six adorable plush key rings, along with other festive CNY collectibles and Pop Mart–style blind boxes.

This is part of its long-running collaboration with homegrown brand Play Nation. For Chinese New Year, the two brands have come together to launch an in-store, experiential concept designed to make everyday shopping more fun and engaging.

Housed within selected Fairprice Xtra outlets, these spaces feature blind boxes, exclusive toys, and family-friendly activities that add a playful twist to routine supermarket runs. 

Abalone-market experience

Available only at Fairprice Xtra in Ang Mo Kio Hub — one of the most “re nao” (lively and bustling) locations during Chinese New Year — the Xtra Play Market will be home to the Abalone Darlings market experience until the second day of Chinese New Year, February 18, and will run daily from 11am to 7pm. 

You might have seen the Mr Melion Hawker Fest, where visitors interacted with stall vendors and received traditional snacks in zichar-style boxes — bringing that same playful, local touch into the retail experience.

There’re also the viral pop-ups by UK brand Jellycat, where your plushies are selected, “cooked” and then lovingly wrapped for you to bring home.

It’s masak-masak (make-believe cooking) — not just for the young, but for the young at heart, too! 

This works in a similar fashion. 

First, pick your Abalone Darling and take the corresponding card to the cashier for payment. 

The series features six renditions — Bubbles, Fortune, Harmony, Poppy, Candy, and Joy — in six pretty pastels and will set you back S$18.80 each. 

Then, return to the station to begin the experience.

Watch as your plush gets “washed,” “cooked,” and “canned” right in front of you — complete with the vendor shouting familiar Chinese New Year greetings such as “Huat ah!” for the full festive effect. 

After the experience wraps up, you’ll receive a free sticker pack and the plush sealed in its own collectible can.

If you just want to get your hands on the plush, without the pop-up experience, you can head to any Xtra Play Market to snag your very own Abalone Darling. 

These, however, come in blind boxes, so you won’t be able to choose the design — but that mystery element keeps the experience fun!

Purchasing a full set of six guarantees you all six designs, as well as an exclusive abalone-market apron.

More CNY collectibles up for grabs 

To round out the festive fun, there are even more Chinese New Year–themed blind boxes up for grabs.

Leading the line-up is the Fortune Nibbles (S$15.90 each), a series inspired by festive CNY favourites such as pineapple tarts, love letters, fortune cookies, and more.

An undeniably cute collection — easily the next standout after the Abalone Darlings.

Following that is the Huat Ah blind box series (S$14.90 each), showcasing eight prosperity-inspired designs such as a lucky pineapple, fortune kitty, a S$50 note, and other festive icons.

A few other collectible ranges are also available, and these can be found at all Fairprice outlets — including Fairprice Supermarkets, Fairprice Finest, and selected Cheers stores. Be sure to check them out, while stocks last!

For more on what to eat, check out newly opened The Fresh Pasta, and muslim-owned steakhouse The Velvet Cut. If you love abalone, be sure to read our story on the Jeju haenyeo experience in Singapore!