Don Don Donki opening second outlet in Singapore on June 14

Japanese discount retailer Don Don Donki will open its second Singapore store next week at Tanjong Pagar’s 100AM mall.

Don Don Donki’s product range of about 30,000 items was curated for Singapore and spans fresh and processed foods, vegetables, meat, sushi, groceries, beverages, costumes, clothing, cosmetics, novelty goods and household items. A third of the product selection is from Hokkaido.

The first store opened in the Orchard Central shopping centre last December and the company plans at least 10 stores in Singapore within five years.

The new store is spread over two levels of the 100AM mall.

Better known by its nickname Donki, the retailer was founded by Japanese businessman Takao Yasuda in 1978 and is owned by the Don Quijote Group. Its stores in Singapore are run by Pan Pacific International Holdings, its holding company for overseas business.

While the stores in Japan are called Don Quijote, its Singapore branch name has been changed to avoid confusion with a local Spanish restaurant of the same name. The term “Don Don Donki” was taken from the store’s theme song.

“The idea to have Don Don Donki in Singapore was suggested by Hokkaido Marche,” said Yasuda, 68, who “semi-retired” a couple of years ago and moved to Singapore. “When I came here, I realised products in Singapore are very expensive, and in Japan I’m known as the king of discounts.

“What costs one dollar in Japan is sometimes two or three dollars here.”

So when he was approached by Hokkaido Marche to partner and open its concepts in Singapore, he agreed immediately.

With 368 stores in Japan, Hawaii and the US, the brand achieved nearly ¥828.8 billion (US$7.3 billion) in sales last fiscal year.