Once seen as a must-visit spot for Japanese lifestyle products in Malaysia, Don Don Donki’s momentum appears to be slowing down.
Japanese discount megastore Don Don Donki is set to close its Nu Sentral outlet in Kuala Lumpur by the end of this month, marking its third closure in Malaysia within two years.
According to Nan Yang Siang Pau, the outlet, which opened less than a year ago, will cease operations following similar closures in other locations, leaving only three Donki stores operating in the country.
Currently, the remaining branches are located at Mid Valley, Sunway Pyramid, and Lot 10 shopping centers with high foot traffic.
Initial hype fizzled out over time
When Donki debuted in Malaysia in March 2021, it attracted long queues and social media buzz due to its distinctive Japanese-themed shopping experience.
However, the excitement has since waned.
High prices and evolving consumer behaviour have contributed to a noticeable drop in footfall and sales.
Netizens say prices are too steep
Several netizens have raised concerns that Donki’s pricing may have contributed to its decline, with some claiming the prices in Malaysia were up to 50% higher than what’s charged in Japan—despite Malaysians earning three times less on average.
Others noted that the cluttered layout and visual distractions, such as ceiling decorations and artificial flowers, made it difficult for customers to focus on the products.
One user commented that despite the variety, “nothing inside really attracts me—I always leave empty-handed.”
The combination of expensive rent, high import costs, the weakening ringgit, and inflation have made it difficult for Donki to compete with local supermarkets on price.
Massive clearance sale before closure
Ahead of the Nu Sentral closure, Donki has launched a clearance sale to offload inventory, according to a few netizens who posted on Xiaohongshu.
Similar contractions seen in Hong Kong and Thailand
Donki’s contraction isn’t isolated to Malaysia.
Media reports indicate that its Hong Kong branch will also close by the end of this month, along with a shift away from 24-hour operations to shorter business hours to reduce expenses.
In Thailand, Donki has already closed underperforming outlets and adopted a smaller-scale retail model called “Donki Mall” to stay viable.
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