Don Quixote (company)
KK Don Quijote ( Japanese 株式会社 ド ン ・ キ ホ ー テ , Kabushiki kaisha Don Kihōte , English Don Quijote Co., Ltd. ) is a Japanese discounter based in Meguro , Tokyo , which was founded in 1980 by Takao Yasuda. The company offers a very wide range of products, ranging from household goods and electronics to food. Colloquially, Don Quixote is also called Donki ( ド ン キ ).
Company history
The current KK Don Quijote was founded in September 1980 in the Tokyo district of Suginami in Tokyo as KK Just ( 株式会社 ジ ャ ス ト , Kabushiki-gaisha Jasuto ) by the current CEO, Takao Yasuda. All branches ran under the name Just until 1989 . In 1989 the first branch was opened under the new name Don Quijote in Fuchū , Tokyo Prefecture . Six years later, in 1995, the entire company was renamed KK Don Quijote .
The company has also owned the PAW shopping centers since 2001, as well as a small variant of the Don Quixote shops, the Picasso ( ピ カ ソ ) discounters.
The company has also been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1998 .
Don Quixote abroad
Since 2006, the company has not only focused on growth in Japan, but also overseas. A first step in this direction was the takeover of Daiei in 2006. The four branches in Hawaii in the USA were renamed Don Quijote and adapted to the company's own concept.
An expansion to the US mainland is planned for the future.
useful information
The mascot
The company mascot is a little blue penguin named "Donpen", which is made up of the company name Don Quijote and the English word for Pen guin (penguin). He wears a red night cap and often sits on a crescent moon. It should reflect the corporate concept of nighttime shopping.
Picasso discount stores
This small form of the actual Don Quixote shops was specially designed for small shopping centers. The range is less extensive and the retail space is correspondingly smaller.
PAW (Peoples Amusement World)
The so-called PAW are shopping centers that offer a variety of other shops such as fast food shops, amusement arcades, salons, etc. in addition to a Don Quijote branch.
Roller coaster
In 2005, the KK Don Quijote planned to build a roller coaster on the roof of its branch in Roppongi . However, this plan had to be abandoned after strong resistance from the residents. Since then, the unused structure has stood on the roof of the building. There are currently no plans for further use.
Foreign import goods
In addition to local products, Don Quijote also sells products, especially food, from all over the world. These are often offered at cheaper prices than in normal supermarkets.
Web links
- Official website (Japanese, English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Donki redesigning the Daiei Kaheka store Hawaii. In: Honolulu Star Bulletin. June 1, 2006, accessed June 21, 2008 .