Don Don Donki accelerates Hong Kong expansion

Japanese discount retailer Don Don Donki is to open up to three more stores in Hong Kong imminently, including a flagship in Causeway Bay.

Don Don Donki will take over the site of the former HMV flagship store at Pearl City Mansion, spanning four floors, offering plenty of space for its unique dine-in Japanese food court concept which has proved hugely popular in its Singapore stores.

The new flagship will have a footprint estimated at 50,000sqft, considerably larger than its debut store in Hong Kong at Mira Place in Tsim Tsa Tsui, Kowloon.

The giant store is tentatively scheduled to open this summer.

Meanwhile another pending store opening at Tseung Kwan O has been confirmed at Monterey Place – part of the O’South retail portfolio – owned by Phoenix Property Investors. The outlet, the chain’s fourth in the city, will be 25,000sqft in space leased for HK$500,000 (US$64,500) monthly. It is expected to open during the last quarter of the year.

There is also widespread speculation that Don Don Donki has chosen a site in Central on Hong Kong Island where it will open a fifth outlet. However, the location has yet to be revealed.

Don Don Donki trades as Don Quijote in its home market of Japan but chose a different name in offshore markets where other entities had already registered businesses trading under the Spanish fictional character.

The company sells a full range of discount merchandise, mostly sourced from Japan, including groceries, health-and-beauty products ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and liquor, as well as fresh produce.

Regional operator Pan Pacific International Holdings, which has four stores in Singapore and two in Thailand. Don Quijote operates about 40 stores in the US and has begun construction of another in Guam.

Don Don Donki’s second store opened at OP Mall in Tsuen Wan.