Build-a-Bear Launches Frosted Sanrio Holiday Plush
The 2026 holiday collection adds frosted versions of Pochacco, Kuromi, and Hello Kitty to the Sanrio lineup.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Spending
Build-a-Bear released Frosted Pochacco, Kuromi, and Hello Kitty Sanrio plush for its 2026 holiday collection, beginning sales immediately after Halloween. The plush alone costs $38 per character.
Why it matters
The release extends Build-a-Bear's holiday merchandise season for shoppers planning seasonal gifts. Pricing for complete bundles varies by character, affecting how much consumers may spend on the collection.
Retailer pricing lists the plush alone at $38 per character, with complete bundles priced between $55 and $67.50. The source does not indicate sales volumes or how the pricing compares with prior Build-a-Bear holiday releases.
The players
Build-a-Bear
Build-a-Bear is a U.S. retailer known for its build-your-own plush stuffed animal experience, operating stores and an online shop.
Sanrio
Sanrio is a Japanese company that owns and licenses popular characters including Hello Kitty, Kuromi, and Pochacco.
The details
Frosted versions of the characters were added to the existing Sanrio collection. Hello Kitty and Pochacco are sold in stores and online, while Kuromi is sold only through the official Build-a-Bear website, where unstuffed Kuromi plush can be filled in store.
Timeline
Build-a-Bear began selling the 2026 holiday and Christmas plush immediately after Halloween, on October 31, 2026.
Market Landscape
The release continues Build-a-Bear's ongoing licensing partnership with Sanrio, whose characters Hello Kitty, Kuromi, and Pochacco anchor the retailer's seasonal plush offerings. Adding frosted holiday variants to an established character line is a common way retailers extend seasonal demand within an existing catalog.
Shoppers planning to buy these plush should note that the complete bundles range from $55 to $67.50 while the plush alone costs $38 each. Kuromi is available only through the official Build-a-Bear website, so buyers wanting that character cannot purchase it in stores.
The takeaway
Shoppers comparing holiday plush prices should check whether a bundle with accessories or a plain plush better fits their budget. Buying Kuromi requires going through the online store, while the other characters are available in person as well.
Further reading
Explore more on Spending to see how seasonal gift purchases fit into household budgets.
More information
Read the full Siliconera report on the Build-a-Bear 2026 holiday Sanrio plush.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Siliconera.
