Latest news with #DonDonDonki
Japan Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Donki operator plans 250 new stores in tourism bet
Japanese retailer Pan Pacific International Holdings plans to open 250 new stores by 2035, in a bet on continued surging foreign tourism. The Don Don Donki store operator is aiming to drive tax-free visitor sales and expand in locations of key tourist travel routes, according to a earnings presentation Monday. Pan Pacific set its 2035 goal for ¥400 billion ($2.7 billion) in tax-free sales, after a record ¥174.2 billion in tax-free sales for fiscal year 2025, driven by increased store traffic from international customers. The move comes as the government is targeting 60 million annual visitors by 2030, thanks to surging post-pandemic global tourism and a weak yen driving record inbound numbers.
Bloomberg
7 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Japan's Donki Operator Plans 250 New Stores in Tourism Bet
Japanese retailer Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. plans to open 250 new stores by 2035, in a bet on continued surging foreign tourism. The Don Don Donki store operator is aiming to drive tax-free visitor sales and expand in locations of key tourist travel routes, according to a earnings presentation Monday.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Japan posts unexpectedly strong GDP, helped by resilient exports
This photo taken on April 21, 2025 shows a customer walking past a display of instant noodles at a branch of Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote, also known overseas as Don Don Donki, in the Shibuya district of central Tokyo. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP) TOKYO: Japan's economy grew much faster than expected in the second quarter as export volumes held up well against new U.S. tariffs, giving the central bank some of the conditions it needs to resume interest rate hikes this year. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 1.0% on an annualised basis, government data showed on Friday, marking the fifth straight quarter of expansion after the previous quarter's contraction was revised to growth. However, analysts warn global economic uncertainties fuelled by U.S. tariffs could weigh on the world's fourth-largest economy in the coming months, especially as automakers struggle to keep prices down for American customers. "The April-June data masked the real effect of Trump's tariffs," said Takumi Tsunoda, senior economist at Shinkin Central Bank Research Institute. "Exports were strong thanks to solid car shipment volumes and last-minute demand from Asian tech manufacturers ahead of some sectoral tariffs. But these aren't sustainable at all." The increase in GDP was helped by surprisingly resilient exports and capital expenditure and compared with median market expectations for a 0.4% gain in a Reuters poll. It followed a 0.6% rise in the previous quarter, which was revised up from a 0.2% contraction. The reading translates into a quarterly rise of 0.3%, better than the median estimate of a 0.1% uptick. The strong data contrasts with China, which saw factory output growth hit an eight month low and retail sales slow sharply in July. Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's economic output, rose 0.2%, compared with a market estimate of a 0.1% increase. It grew at the same pace as the previous quarter. Consumption and wage trends are factors the Bank of Japan is watching to gauge economic strength and determine the timing of its next interest rate action. Capital spending, a key driver of domestic demand, rose 1.3% in the second quarter, versus a rise of 0.5% in the Reuters poll. Net external demand, or exports minus imports, contributed 0.3 of a point to growth, versus a 0.8 point negative contribution in the January-March period. The United States imposed 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts in April and threatened 25% levies on most of other Japanese imports. It later struck a trade deal in July that lowered tariffs to 15% in exchange for a U.S.-bound $550 billion Japanese investment package. Japanese economy minister Ryosei Akazawa told a press conference that the latest GDP results confirmed that the country's economy was recovering modestly. "Looking ahead, we expect better employment and income conditions and policy measures to support the modest recovery," he said. "But we need to be mindful of downside risks from U.S. trade policies." Akazawa said the U.S. tariffs are likely to push down Japan's real GDP by 0.3-0.4%. The government last week cut its inflation-adjusted growth forecast for this fiscal year to 0.7% from the initially projected 1.2%, predicting U.S. tariffs would slow capital expenditure while persistent inflation weighs on consumption. Exports have so far avoided a major hit from U.S. tariffs as Japanese automakers, the country's biggest exporters, have mostly absorbed additional tariff costs by cutting prices in a bid to keep domestic plants running. The economic resilience, along with a U.S.-Japan trade deal struck last month, supports views the BOJ could hike interest rate later this year. However, economists expect exports will suffer in the coming months as they start passing on costs to U.S. customers. "It's possible the economy could slip into decline in the July-September quarter as exports slow," Shinichiro Kobayashi, principal economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, said. "For the economy to fully pick up, private consumption holds the key. Consumption could improve towards the end of the year as inflation gradually slows and sentiment recovers," he said. (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Hype Malaysia
16-07-2025
- Business
- Hype Malaysia
Don Don Donki Sunway Pyramid Closing Down On 31st July; Offering Discount Up To 30%
Another one bites the dust. Just two months after closing down its Nu Sentral outlet, Japanese discount store chain Don Don Donki will close its outlet at Sunway Pyramid by the end of the month. Reports of the closure emerged after shoppers noticed a sign outside the store. The sign read, 'We Are Moving' in large font, with an explanation below. The store announced that it would be moving its business location effective 31st July 2025 (Thursday). At the same time, Don Don Donki also thanked customers for their support throughout the store's operations. At the same time, it invites the public to shop at its other outlets. Customers who visited the store after the announcement received confirmation from staff about the closure. As part of the closure, the store is also holding a clearance sale with discounts ranging from 15% to 30% on all products, excluding perishables and delica. While unconfirmed, there are also reports that the store is moving to the Lot 10 Shopping Mall branch in Bukit Bintang. This closure marks the fourth Don Don Donki outlet to cease operations since the company entered the Malaysian market in 2020. Since then, the company has established several outlets in the Klang Valley, including at Nu Sentral and IOI City Mall. Unfortunately, four out of six outlets have closed down, leaving only the Lot 10 Shopping Mall and Mid Valley Megamall outlets in operation. Netizens have shared mixed reactions to the closure. While some were surprised to learn that Don Don Donki is closing yet another branch in Malaysia, some argued that it was to be expected, given the lack of crowds. However, it's worth noting that the Sunway Pyramid outlet underwent a revamp in March, relaunching its store with a new layout and wider selection of items. Only time will tell the future of Don Don Donki in Malaysia, but let's try to enjoy the store while it's still here. If you're looking for good deals on Japanese treats, make sure to visit Don Don Donki in Sunway Pyramid before the end of the month. Source: Facebook
CNA
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Commentary: Plastic bags are back at Don Don Donki – but consumer attitudes to disposables have changed
SINGAPORE: Don Don Donki's decision to re-introduce plastic bags, seven months after it stopped selling them, was welcomed online. Facebook users commented that they had stopped shopping at Donki because it was too inconvenient to carry their purchases without plastic bags. Though Don Don Donki's move to sell plastic bags again suggests shoppers still need the option, it does not mean that Singapore consumers are refusing to adopt package-free habits. There has been a heartening change in attitudes over the last decade. As advocates for reuse culture, we observed in 2015 that at supermarkets, customers would take more plastic bags than needed for bagging waste, and throw away those not needed without a second thought. This is no longer the case today. A resident told us that she reuses some of her smaller plastic bags – like bread bags – to contain food waste, which allows her to use fewer disposables over time. We are at the stage of becoming waste-conscious – aware of how much we generate and how it is handled. This knowledge shapes our behaviour whenever we shop or dine. Though there is a general lack of impetus to reuse in Singapore for now, being waste-conscious compels us to make sustainable choices out of practical or economic reasons. This is the first step towards mindful consumption – where we not only reduce, reuse and recycle, but also refuse. A SHIFT IN MINDSET When Don Don Donki discontinued plastic bags in October 2024, customers reacted negatively. Some argued that being made to buy a reusable bag if they forget to bring one is also a wasteful practice. This highlights the importance of easing consumers into new habits. For instance, supermarkets could provide racks where shoppers can donate reusable bags for others to use. Fairprice rolled out this initiative across several outlets in 2023, in addition to putting up posters to encourage customers to bring their own bags. Similarly, Singapore's introduction of a plastic bag charge in July 2023 was initially met with complaints, but eventually led to significant waste reduction. By the end of 2023, supermarkets saw up to 80 per cent fewer disposable bags taken by consumers, showing that people can adapt if nudged effectively. Some consumers have responded to the bag charge by buying plastic bags elsewhere. While this might seem counterproductive, it signals a shift in mindset because disposable bags were previously never considered an everyday purchase. This new mindset is important because we will want to conserve the usage of items that we buy, instead of casually wasting it. The positive effect of this is evident from Singapore's decreasing domestic waste per capita, which has fallen by more than 15 per cent over the last decade. BIODEGRADABLES ARE ONLY GREEN IN NAME Biodegradable bags are often viewed as a greener alternative to plastic, but in Singapore's context, this is misleading. Our waste system is based on incineration, which means all waste – whether plastic or biodegradable – is burnt before being buried in our only landfill at Semakau. This landfill is projected to be full by 2035. Because biodegradable waste is not separated or composted, it ends up being incinerated just like any other trash. Worse still, producing biodegradable bags often requires more resources than making plastic ones, due to land use and manufacturing processes. The environmental cost of producing these 'green' bags can sometimes outweigh the benefits. As a result, biodegradable bags may do more harm than good if not properly processed – which Singapore currently lacks the infrastructure for. Organisations must be careful not to promote biodegradables without accounting for their full environmental impact. If they do, their messaging risks bordering on greenwashing. The most effective way to reduce plastic waste in Singapore remains the use of reusables, coupled with public education around the full life cycle of consumer products. Informed consumers can then make smarter decisions when purchasing and disposing of items. CHANGE FROM THE GROUND UP Habits will take time to form, with teething issues being part of the process. Every act of reuse chips away at our culture of disposability and influences how businesses respond. If enough people refuse plastic bags, carry reusable bottles, or sort their recyclables, businesses will take notice. Going green requires a rethinking of our daily choices, but sustainability is not about being perfect – it's about being consistent. We ran a 6-month pilot in Queenstown to test the belief that elderly residents are the least likely to recycle. But by the end of the pilot in 2023, we found the opposite. Once participants were shown how to recycle properly, many picked it up quickly. If you think about your own grandparents, you may realise they do have the habit of saving recyclables like paper or washed containers. What surprised us most was how invested the participants became: They formed their own informal watch group to remind neighbours to recycle. It was a heartening reminder that the needle is moving, even in generations that we assume are stubborn. All in all, business or government policies on reducing waste are a first step, but real behavioural change comes through understanding – not just the 'what', but the 'why'. Consumers need a realistic transition period to adjust and integrate new habits into their lives.
