Mega Don Quijote is a giant emporium or discount store comparable to Walmart. They have everything and it’s really fun to visit! This popular store often called “Donki” (ドンキ) in Japan.
The chain has more than 160 branches in Japan, three in Hawaii and there’s already one in Singapore. Whenever you want to buy anything, it can probably get the job done! It’s an amazing shop where you can find pretty much anything except real dinosaurs! It’s here where you can find bizarre and poly-branded items. After all, this is where I first discovered super delicious ramen noodles which taste my friends are still struggling to comprehend. If you need something like home appliances, but not sure which particular brand or model to buy, this is a very nice place to start. Because of their huge variety of items, this is one of the best places to shop for tourists and locals. If you’re a person who likes to wear every premium fancy dress product, Donki has got you covered (with alternatives)!
The only problem is: Although the stores offer a complete array of items if you can’t read Japanese, navigating can be a real challenge. The amount of stuff packed from floor to ceiling is enormous! Sometimes, they’re mixed up as well. You might find a snow plow in the middle of the boots and shoe section for example. Some even call it miracle shopping! When you enter a store, you’re immediately bombarded with some sort of orderly chaos that they seem to have been doing perfectly.
Let’s have a look at some cool things people buy here.
We can see numerous options at affordable prices here! It carries a great variety of products from hardware to clothing to toys.
Souvenirs
When it comes to souvenirs, Don Quijote claims to be the best place to shop. They have a great variety of Japan team t-shirts and various popular backpacks. Buying japan team socks here is easy because there are so many items to choose from. I recommend buying functional souvenirs like T-shirts or watches since everytime you use them, you’ll remember your trip and where you bought it from.
Snacks
Tourists just love them! It’s nice to take home some snacks with unusual tastes from Japan. They’re always a hit when I bring chips, chocolates and candies to my relatives in the Philippines.
Various problem-solvers/Innovative Products
There are so many super-functional, problem-solving products here you’d wish you’ve found earlier, like this water-repellant spray that can make your clothes water-resistant. There are also cold patches and sprays for the summer, and heat patches for winter.
Food Supplements and Medicine
They offer a complete selection of common over-the-counter medications like flu medicine and painkillers.
Car accessories
There’s also an endless supply of auto accessories here so if you have a car, this is a haven!
Many of their stores are open till very late hours like 3 or 5 am. Sometimes 24 hours. You can see most goods stacked from floor to ceiling not only to save space but as a marketing strategy.
History
Don Quijote opened its first store in Suginami, Tokyo in September 1980 under its original name, Just Co. Originally a retail store, Just Co. quickly switched to wholesale in 1982. The company opened its first "Don Quijote" named store in Fuchu, Tokyo in March 1989. With the name change, the store also changed its primary business from wholesale to retail. It was not until 1995, six years later, that Just Co. followed suit and it changed its corporate name to Don Quijote Co., Ltd as well. In June 1998, the company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Source
Advantages
Offering products at wholesale (discount) prices gave the store chain an advantage in times of crisis when Japan’s economic bubble collapsed.
The Japanese asset price bubble (バブル景気 baburu keiki, "bubble condition") was an economic bubble in Japan from 1986 to 1991 in which real estate and stock market prices were greatly inflated. In early 1992, this price bubble collapsed. The bubble was characterized by rapid acceleration of asset prices and overheated economic activity, as well as an uncontrolled money supply and credit expansion. More specifically, over-confidence and speculation regarding asset and stock prices had been closely associated with excessive monetary easing policy at the time. Source
While the economic downturn had disastrous effects to other businesses, more people went to ‘Donki’ for lower prices. The economic uncertainty prompted thriftiness among Japanese consumers and helped boost the sales of discount stores like Don Quijote.