Daiso, Robinsons Philippines to strengthen partnership

Japanese discount retailer Daiso Industries says it is impressed with the growth of the Daiso Japan store chain in the country in its joint venture partnership with Robinsons Retail Holdings.

The two companies now operate 44 Daiso Japan-branded stores across the Philippines, part of a 2400-strong global network spanning 30 countries.

Robinsons Retail Holdings Philippines COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe says the chain still has growth potential in the country and she expects the customer base to expand.

From left: Daiso Japan GM Katherine Michelle Yu; Daiso Industries Japan GM for East Asia Koji Nishigaya; Robinsons Retail Holdings COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe; Daiso Industries Japan founder and president Hirotake Yano and Daiso Philippines vice-chairman Wilfred Co.
From left: Daiso Japan GM Katherine Michelle Yu; Daiso Industries Japan GM for East Asia Koji Nishigaya; Robinsons Retail Holdings COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe; Daiso Industries Japan founder and president Hirotake Yano and Daiso Philippines vice-chairman Wilfred Co.

“We brought it here knowing that it is a big brand from Japan that offers good quality and affordable products. That, for me, is the best combination that is very much suited to the Philippine market,” she said.

“The items in our stores are the real Daiso merchandise from Japan. There is a guarantee behind the name and the partnership that we have with Daiso Industries.”

Daiso Japan’s founder and president Hirotake Yano was in the Philippines last month as a guest speaker at the 17th Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) 2015 in Manila and he took time to meet with management of Robinsons Retail Holdings.

Yano reaffirmed the “strong and exclusive partnership” between the two companies following the recent Supreme Court ruling which prevented copycat retailer Japan Home Center (JHC) from using the Daiso name ending a six year long court battle.

Yano said when he first visited the Philippines four years ago he observed it was experiencing a very competitive growth, one comparable to Daiso Japan.

“I am actually quite proud of this development.

“I am very confident with the leadership of the Robinsons Group as our Daiso Industries’ exclusive retailer in the Philippines,” Yano said.

“That is why I look forward for continued growth as customer demand increases.”

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