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Tag: Orchard Central

  • Don Don Donki opening second outlet in Singapore on June 14

    Don Don Donki opening second outlet in Singapore on June 14

    Japanese discount retailer Don Don Donki will open its second Singapore store next week at Tanjong Pagar’s 100AM mall.

    Don Don Donki’s product range of about 30,000 items was curated for Singapore and spans fresh and processed foods, vegetables, meat, sushi, groceries, beverages, costumes, clothing, cosmetics, novelty goods and household items. A third of the product selection is from Hokkaido.

    The first store opened in the Orchard Central shopping centre last December and the company plans at least 10 stores in Singapore within five years.

    The new store is spread over two levels of the 100AM mall.

    Better known by its nickname Donki, the retailer was founded by Japanese businessman Takao Yasuda in 1978 and is owned by the Don Quijote Group. Its stores in Singapore are run by Pan Pacific International Holdings, its holding company for overseas business.

    While the stores in Japan are called Don Quijote, its Singapore branch name has been changed to avoid confusion with a local Spanish restaurant of the same name. The term “Don Don Donki” was taken from the store’s theme song.

    “The idea to have Don Don Donki in Singapore was suggested by Hokkaido Marche,” said Yasuda, 68, who “semi-retired” a couple of years ago and moved to Singapore. “When I came here, I realised products in Singapore are very expensive, and in Japan I’m known as the king of discounts.

    “What costs one dollar in Japan is sometimes two or three dollars here.”

    So when he was approached by Hokkaido Marche to partner and open its concepts in Singapore, he agreed immediately.

    With 368 stores in Japan, Hawaii and the US, the brand achieved nearly ¥828.8 billion (US$7.3 billion) in sales last fiscal year.

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  • More discount from Don Don Donki for Singaporean

    More discount from Don Don Donki for Singaporean

    Japanese discount store Don Don Donki opens its first Southeast Asian outlet at Orchard Central today, to be followed by a second outlet at the 100 AM mall in Tanjong Pagar in June.

    The aim is to have at least 10 stores in Singapore within the next four or five years.

    Over two storeys, the Orchard Central megastore will be open 24/7 and also feature a “night market” concept featuring eight dining outlets in partnership with food manufacturer Hokkaido Marche. This section will launch next month and be open only during dinner hours.

    Don Don Donki’s product range of about 30,000 items was curated for Singapore and spans fresh and processed foods, vegetables, meat, sushi, groceries, beverages, costumes, clothing, cosmetics, novelty goods and household items. A third of the product selection is from Hokkaido.

    Covering 1400sqm, Don Don Donki will also offer products from its in-house brand Jonetsu Kakaku as well as a Hokkaido-themed retail space.

    The brand is known for its wide range of made-and-designed-in-Japan products – from toilet paper to second-hand Rolex watches.

    Better known as Donki, the store was founded by Japanese businessman Takao Yasuda in 1978 and is owned by the Don Quijote Group. Its stores in Singapore will be run by Pan Pacific International Holdings, its holding company for overseas business.

    Name change

    While the stores in Japan are called Don Quijote, its Singapore branch name has been changed to avoid confusion with a local Spanish restaurant of the same name. The term “Don Don Donki” was taken from the store’s theme song.

    “The idea to have Don Don Donki in Singapore was suggested by Hokkaido Marche,” said Yasuda, 68, who “semi-retired” a couple of years ago and moved to Singapore. “When I came here, I realised products in Singapore are very expensive, and in Japan I’m known as the king of discounts.

    “What costs one dollar in Japan is sometimes two or three dollars here.”

    So when he was approached by Hokkaido Marche to partner and open its concepts in Singapore, he agreed immediately.

    Pan Pacific International Holdings director Hideki Okada says the Singapore store is a pioneer for the rest of Southeast Asia. It will be followed by a branch in Thailand next November.

    With 368 stores in Japan, Hawaii and the US, the brand earned nearly ¥828.8 billion (US$7.3 billion) in annual sales for the fiscal year to June 30.

  • Minion Cafe Opens at Singapore Central

    Minion Cafe Opens at Singapore Central

    A Singapore Minions Cafe has opened at Orchard Central – the first one to trade outside Japan.

    Minions, the yellow cartoon characters who made their debut in the Despicable Me movies and have now spurned their own films, will host diners on the mall’s third floor until January 31.

    Minions Cafe Sg

     

    The Minions said ‘bello’ – which is their language for ‘hello’ in five Japanese cities to coincide with the premiere of the Despicable Me 3 movie.

    The themed character cafe has a menu with 14 options inspired by the movie characters. Exclusive movie merchandise will also be sold on-site.

    The Singapore Minions Cafe popup is operated by Japanese cafe, The Guest Cafe & Diner, which collaborates with a different popular character every two to three months.

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  • Zoff to open flagship in Orchard Central

    Zoff to open flagship in Orchard Central

    Japanese eyewear chain Zoff is expanding into Southeast Asia with a flagship outlet at Orchard Central in Singapore.

    Zoff, known for consistently introducing two collections every month, has more than 200 stores in Japan and China. Its Singapore flagship store at Orchard Central will open on April 7 with a traditional lion-dance performance plus a performance by dance duo Scrach Marcs.

    Zoff president/CEO/COO Teruhiro Ueno will attend the opening and is expected to speak about the company’s expansion plans.

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  • Deja vu? Malls reuse Xmas decor for CNY

    Deja vu? Malls reuse Xmas decor for CNY

    If Chinese New Year decorations at shopping malls are looking somewhat familiar, it is likely because they have been up since Christmas.

    Malls have transformed their Christmas ornaments and themes into Chinese New Year trimmings.

    By doing so, the malls say they have saved money, reduced waste and managed to turn over the decorations in a shorter time.

    Orchardgateway’s fantasy underwater world decor was planned to cover both festivals, as the dates were almost “back to back”. This year, Chinese New Year falls on Jan 28, just a month after Christmas.

    “We maintained the fantasy underwater world setting but added koi fish to bring out the Chinese New Year flavour and mood,” said its spokesman.

    Orchard Central said it saved up to 60 per cent in cost from repurposing its Christmas ornaments for the upcoming Chinese New Year, instead of replacing them with a new set-up. It has even combined its Chinese New Year decorations with Valentine’s Day decorations, with a turquoise and pink theme. 313@Somerset (above) has also changed its decorations. 

    She added that koi fish, which were added to a seascape of corals, symbolise good fortune, prosperity, longevity and success. The mall managed to save 30 to 40 per cent in cost and wastage as a result.

    Orchard Central, which is owned by Far East Organization, said it saved up to 60 per cent in cost by repurposing Christmas ornaments, instead of putting up a new set-up.

    In fact, the mall has combined its Chinese New Year decorations with Valentine’s Day decorations with a turquoise and pink theme, featuring cages and artificial flowers.

    More than half of the materials from the decor can be recycled. Far East’s other malls, such as Clarke Quay Central and Square 2, are also repurposing decorations.

    Over at CapitaLand Malls’ Bugis Junction, the Christmas tree is now a giant spiral bamboo plant.

    “What used to be whimsical waxed moustaches – not unlike the kind Santa typically sports – have now been turned into the upturned branches of the bamboo arrangement, signifying good luck for the coming Year of the Rooster,” said CapitaLand Mall Asia’s head of retail management in Singapore, Ms Teresa Teow.

    Farther west, the Star Vista converted its larger-than-life Christmas bauble centrepiece into a tangerine, signifying prosperity and fortune.

    The mall has donated some of its Christmas decorations to the Singapore General Hospital, which will sell them to raise funds for the hospital’s Needy Patients Fund.

    Ms Valerie Toh, 29, an office manager, said she did not notice the similarities in the decorations.

    “Given the not-so-good economy, I think people will appreciate the malls cutting down on wastage rather than spending needlessly,” she said.

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  • Five must-visit malls in Singapore, the shopper’s paradise

    Five must-visit malls in Singapore, the shopper’s paradise

    There is no doubt that Singapore is a paradise for shopaholics and foodies. And, it doesn’t come as a surprise if the island nation has some of the finest malls. Recently, Forbes rated the best five malls in Singapore based on the shopping experience and food offerings.

    At number five is Paragon Shopping Mall on Orchard Road. This 20-storey shopping center with more than 200 shops is definitely an up-market shoppers’ paradise. With six levels of designer fashion and luxury boutiques, sports and lifestyle shops, restaurants and cafes, Paragon is a one-stop destination for luxury needs.

    After Paragon, the obvious next choice is ION Orchard, located in Singapore’s prominent shopping boulevard, Orchard Road. It offers a dazzling view at night and a unique shopping experience with over 300 retail, F&B and entertainment stores, which will include six of the world’s top luxury brands building their signature flagships stores.

    Next on the line is the most famous The Shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands resort. The Shoppes is a one-of-its-kind mall with a casino, indoor skating rink, rooftop access that gives a breathtaking skyline view of the Bay Sans, and a canal that runs through the mall. It also boasts some of the world’s most renowned brands like Ralph Lauren, Hermès, Chanel and Cartier, but, the highlight is the Louis Vuitton island concept store.

    Then comes Singapore’s largest shopping mall, VivoCity, located near the coastline of Keppel Harbour and Sentosa Island. Operated throughout cable car, its occupiers include American Eagle, Forever 21, H&M, Gap, MUJI, and Uniqlo.

    And finally, at the number spot is the country’s tallest vertical mall, Orchard Central, right in the center of Orchard road. The food court is nothing short of a gastronomical delight with alfresco style dining options at its rooftop or international food ranging from Japanese, Korean, Chinese to Western at the F&B themed floors, it will satisfy every palette.

    Other prominent shopping destinations include Dempsey Road, Holland Road Shopping Centre, Little India, Tiong Bahru and Haji Lane. A true shopper’s paradise with a slew of mall spread across the country, Singapore definitely beats its neighbours in terms of sheer convenience and familiarity.