It’s common for stores to close down, but it does spark concern when they close just months after opening. Recently, there have been reports that the Don Don Donki outlet at Nu Sentral is closing down less than a year after its opening.
The news first surfaced on social media, with one XiaoHongShu user posting about the closure. In the post, the user revealed that the Japanese discount store chain will close at the end of May. The store had only begun operations eleven months ago, in June 2024. The post also said that the store is offering discounts on its items to clear out its stock, but most of the stuff has sold out.
While brands closing down outlets isn’t uncommon, it’s worth noting that this is the third Don Don Donki outlet to close down within two years. In September 2024, the store’s outlet in IOI City Mall in Putrajaya ceased operations after a year and five months. As such, many netizens chimed in on the recent closures, discussing why the brand fails to sustain itself despite being a notable Japanese chain.
One of the common arguments is the store’s layout, which mimics that of its branches in Japan. Many said Don Don Donki stores are too crowded because of how closely placed the shelves are. Some also mentioned that the store carries too much merchandise, making it hard for customers to focus. However, it’s worth noting that this crowded layout is intentional, as the company’s founder wanted customers to be intrigued by all the products and buy more items.
Another reason why netizens believe Don Don Donki isn’t doing too well in the Malaysian market is because of its pricing. While the store is a discount chain in its home country, many said Don Don Donki in Malaysia is unaffordable to most locals. Some even argued that the same items are more expensive in Malaysia than in Japan, likely due to shipping and taxes.
With this pending closure, only three Don Don Donki outlets remain in Malaysia: Lot 10 Shopping Centre, Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall. What are your thoughts on Don Don Donki closing so many outlets in a short period?
Source: XiaoHongShu
