Mystery Boxes Draw Crowds to Cork Pop-Up Shop

Cork shoppers are lining up for a chance to snag tech bargains – or unexpected surprises – at a new pop-up shop offering mystery packages. King Colis, a French start-up, launched its first Irish location in Douglas Court Shopping Centre on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, attracting a queue of eager customers.

The Allure of the Unknown

The concept is simple: customers purchase packages sold by weight, with prices starting at €2.29 per 100g for standard packages and €2.99 per 100g for premium options. The contents remain a mystery until after purchase, offering the potential for high-value items like iPhones and iPads, but also the possibility of receiving everyday goods like tablecloths or phone cases.

“I hope I identify an iPhone or an iPad, that wouldn’t be too bad,” said Alicia Healy, one of the first customers in line, to the Irish Examiner. She acknowledged the risk, stating, “If I unwrapped something else, I would just have to suck it up, I guess, it’s the luck of the draw.”

How it Works

Customers have 10 minutes to select their desired packages, but are prohibited from opening them before making a purchase. The first customer spent €106 on a haul that included an eight-inch television screen and a phone cover, even as another, Ray and Alicia, spent €266 on a bag of surprises that included tablecloths, an Android system for a car, and Christmas lights.

Theophane Mericskay, director of the Cork pop-up, advises customers to purchase one standard and one premium package for the best chance of finding a valuable item. He explained that premium packages typically contain items from major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Rakuten, while standard packages may include goods from a wider range of sources, including smaller online retailers.

Potential Risks and Considerations

The pop-up shop has also raised some concerns about the potential for inappropriate items to be included in the packages, as the contents originate from across Europe. Mericskay acknowledged this possibility, stating that while he hasn’t encountered such a situation in six months of operation, parents should be prepared for the chance of a child receiving an adult-related item.

Irish Examiner columnist Caitríona Redmond has previously cautioned about the potential for these types of shops to be a form of gambling, particularly for children.

King Colis Expansion

The Cork location is part of a broader expansion for King Colis, which also launched a pop-up shop in Bristol, United Kingdom, on February 24, 2026. The company plans to sell ten tonnes of lost packages throughout the week-long event in Cork, which runs until Sunday, March 1, 2026, with opening hours from 10am to 8pm daily. Entry to the shop is free, but fast passes are available for €15 on king-colis.com.