McDonald's(US:MCD) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-05-21 04:25Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in demand for McDonald's Happy Meal toys, specifically "Gikawa" and "Minecraft," has led to widespread criticism due to excessive purchasing and food wastage by adult consumers aiming to resell the toys [3][5][12]. Group 1: Sales and Demand - The Happy Meal set, priced at approximately 500 yen (about 23 RMB), includes options like chicken nuggets or burgers, and has been limited to four sets per person [6]. - The toys have become highly sought after, particularly among adults, resulting in rapid sellouts at multiple locations [6][18]. - The resale market for these toys has emerged, with listings on second-hand websites showing sets being sold for around 2,500 yen (approximately 115 RMB) [5]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Criticism - Social media has highlighted disturbing scenes of food wastage, with uneaten burgers and fries being discarded, leading to public outrage [8][9]. - Many consumers expressed their discontent, questioning the ethics of buying in bulk for resale and the lack of consideration for children who wanted the toys [9][10]. - The phenomenon has attracted not only local buyers but also international interest, particularly from China, where the toys are extremely popular [12]. Group 3: Company Response and Future Concerns - McDonald's Japan announced the early termination of the "Gikawa" and "Minecraft" Happy Meal promotion due to the overwhelming demand and subsequent sellouts [18]. - There are concerns among consumers regarding the potential for even more intense competition during future releases, indicating a need for the company to address the situation [18].