Japanese chain store Don Quijote, known in Malaysia as Jonetz by Don Don Donki, is a renowned brand in its home country with stores all over Japan. However, it seems the company doesn’t share the same fate here in Malaysia because it recently saw another closure.
Recently, a Xiaohongshu user shared the shocking news that the company, known simply as Don Don Donki, has suddenly closed down its IOI City Mall branch on Merdeka Day (31st August). In the post, the user noted that the branch was marked permanently closed on Google and that Don Don Donki also removed the store from their list of branches. The post also included a photo of an in-store announcement which says that the IOI City Mall outlet is moving effective 31st August.
However, the company never officially announced the closure, leaving many fans in the dark. On the other hand, IOI City Mall also removed the store from its tenant listing. However, it didn’t mention the closure on its social media. As of reporting, there is no explanation about the sudden closure and no information on whether the move was to another mall or another location within the mall. For your information, the store opened just less than two years ago, in April 2023. It’s also the second Don Don Donki store in Malaysia to close after the Tropicana Garden Mall outlet ceased operations on 31st May 2023.
Nevertheless, netizens are discussing the closure of the IOI City Mall branch, noting it may have ceased operations due to the lack of customers. Many explained that despite IOI City Mall being a popular shopping destination, most customers don’t shop at Don Don Donki because of the prices and store layout. Some even said that the branches at the Lot 10 Shopping Centre and Sunway Pyramid are better. Netizens also suggested that Don Don Donki open more stores outside of Klang Valley, like Penang.
While the company may not share the reason for the closure, let’s hope this isn’t the start of a downfall for Don Don Donki in Malaysia. What are your thoughts on this news? Were you surprised that the store is no longer at IOI City Mall?
Sources: China Press, XiaoHongShu
