Japanese Variety Store 'Don Quijote' to Launch Food-Focused Stores Next Year

New Brand to Launch with 60% of Products as Food Items

According to a report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on August 18, the operator of the Japanese variety store chain 'Don Quijote', which is well-known among Korean tourists, will launch a new brand store focused on food next year.

Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH), the operator of Don Quijote, plans to introduce a new brand in which approximately 60% of products will be everyday food items, sold at low prices.

The company will first open its initial store early next year in the Nagoya area of Aichi Prefecture and aims to expand to five stores in the region within the first half of the year.

Inside view of Don Quijote store. Photo by Asia Economy DB

PPIH has outlined plans to operate up to 300 stores by 2035, with the goal of increasing its annual sales to 600 billion yen (approximately 5.6 trillion won) in the future. Nikkei reported that, given Don Quijote stores are often located near train stations or in bustling downtown areas, the new food-focused stores will be set up in residential neighborhoods.

The newspaper also stated, "In addition to fresh foods, the stores will sell prepared side dishes made in in-store kitchens," adding, "Don Quijote will differentiate itself from ordinary supermarkets by fully stocking cosmetics and daily necessities, areas where it has a competitive edge. The company plans to use profits generated from cosmetics and daily necessities to offer food products at even lower prices than nearby stores."