Don Quijote in PH? Still a ‘long-term consideration’ —DTI

Pinoy fans of Don Quijote or “Donki” will have to wait long before the popular Japanese discount shop chain is officially established in the Philippines.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that Trade Secretary Cristina Roque held a “strategic meeting” in Tokyo on Monday with executives of Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp. (PPIH), the Japanese retail house behind Don Quijote and Don Don Donki store chains.

The DTI said the meeting centered on expanding the sourcing of Philippine products for inclusion in PPIH’s global store network, particularly in Japan, the United States, and other Asian markets. 

It added that PPIH expressed “strong interest” in increasing the visibility of Filipino-made goods in their retail ecosystem.

However, the Trade Department said executives of PPIH have noted that “opening a Donki store in the Philippines remains a long-term consideration.”

Nevertheless, the executives of the Japanese retail house “acknowledged that a successful sourcing partnership with the Philippine government and exporters could play a significant role in including the Philippines in future regional expansion plans.”

“As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global economy, we are guided by a fundamental principle: alone we can only do so little, but together, we can achieve so much,” said Roque.

“We welcome every opportunity to introduce Filipino products to the world—especially through partners who share our commitment to innovation, inclusion, and excellence,” said the Trade chief.

The DTI said PPIH identified food and wellness items, natural and sustainable home goods, and unique lifestyle products as key areas of sourcing interest. 

The Japanese retail house also expressed a desire to connect directly with more Philippine exporters and manufacturers, beyond current intermediaries, to gain better access to new and trending products, according to the agency. — BM, GMA Integrated News