The "doomer" trend sweeps through three major department stores as multiple pop-up counters take turns making appearances

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

With the summer vacation consumption season in full swing, many department stores have brought in a variety of popular dessert brands to set up pop-up counters. Some even tap into the currently most talked-about "doomer" life theme, showing creativity in beverages and cooling ice treats to let visitors experience the most healing summer.

From July 7 to August 23, Taipei Main Station Fashion Mall will exclusively launch a themed café in B3, a collaboration between Otaru Coffee and a well-known illustrator. The café will feature popular online illustration characters such as “Uncle Rice Grain,” “Corgi i*i*,” and “Resigned Bear,” using coffee to express young people's feelings of doom toward life.

To welcome the summer vacation, Global Mall Banqiao has also introduced several pop-up counters in the B1 connecting corridor. These include Hoshino Dorayaki and Bean Enjoy Home on July 15, and the Glico Store pop-up from July 16 to August 14, which will offer seasonally limited sakura and mentaiko flavors, as well as Japan’s trendy adult-oriented “milk chocolate mille-feuille flavor.” Additionally, starting August 15, Korea’s IG-famous ice cream popcorn Sweet Monster will join the pop-up lineup.

Until the end of July, Takashimaya Department Store in Dayeh will introduce a pop-up store for Belgium’s highly popular “Line up cake” in B1, featuring many creative-flavored cakes — including one made with Twining Earl Grey tea-infused fresh cheese, topped with handcrafted signature blueberry compote.