Premium Brands Beyond 100 Yen Shops: Global Expansion
- Category expansion and private brand (PB) growth maximize consumer options.
- A visit to Japan often includes a stop at a 100-yen shop.
- The concept originated in 1926 with an event store in Takashimaya Department Store in osaka.
The History and Expansion of Japan’s 100-yen Shops
Table of Contents
- The History and Expansion of Japan’s 100-yen Shops
- The History and Expansion of Japan’s 100-Yen Shops
- what are 100-Yen Shops?
- What Kind of Products Can you Find in a 100-Yen Shop?
- When Did the 100-Yen shop Concept Begin?
- Who is Credited with Popularizing the Modern 100-Yen Shop Model?
- How Has Daiso Expanded Over Time?
- How Many Daiso Stores Are There?
- How Does Daiso Operate in Korea?
- How Do Japanese and Korean Daiso Compare?
- What is Daiso’s Strategy for Staying Competitive?
Inexpensive, quality-guaranteed goods build consumer trust. Category expansion and private brand (PB) growth maximize consumer options.

A visit to Japan often includes a stop at a 100-yen shop.
These stores offer a diverse range of products, from household goods to stationery and food. The history of these inexpensive shops is extensive, with Daiso at the forefront.
The concept originated in 1926 with an event store in Takashimaya Department Store in osaka. Items were sold at a uniform price of 10 centimeters (equivalent to about 100 yen today),offering affordable goods.
The uniformity concept gained popularity during Japan’s economic boom in the mid-1970s.
The name 100-yen shop
emerged in 1985 when the supermarket chain Life
began selling uniform-priced products. However, the modern 100-yen shop model is largely attributed to daiso, which started in Hiroshima in 1991. Founder Yano Hirotake began with a mobile stall, achieving success by selling all items for 100 yen.
Daiso experienced rapid growth in the late 1990s, capitalizing on consumer needs during the post-bubble economy recession. The company built trust by offering affordable products of reasonable quality across various categories, including household goods, stationery, kitchenware, and cosmetics.Daiso increased its private brand (PB) ratio and expanded its product offerings to over 100,000 items per store.
As of 2024, Daiso operates approximately 3,600 stores in Japan and about 5,000 overseas. The brand has expanded with flagship stores and complex stores.
Daiso in Korea operates as a partner company with a brand use contract but no capital ties to Japan. Originally named ‘Asko ibn Plaza’ in 1997, it became ‘Daiso Prayer Industry’ in 2001, adapting the Japanese 100-yen shop model to the Korean market.
Based on Japan’s Daiso’s operating strategy and product planning, it started with a uniform price of 1,000 won, and now it has grown into a restaurant specializing in household goods with various products.
Japan’s Daiso remains competitive through innovation and efficient product planning, while Daiso Korea benchmarks these strategies to increase its own private brand products.
Both Korean and Japanese Daiso have recently focused on reorganizing brand identities, emphasizing eco-friendly and design-oriented products that prioritize sustainability.
The History and Expansion of Japan’s 100-Yen Shops
what are 100-Yen Shops?
100-yen shops are discount stores in Japan that sell a wide variety of products for a uniform price of 100 yen (plus consumption tax). These shops are known for their affordability and the surprising quality of their goods.
What Kind of Products Can you Find in a 100-Yen Shop?
100-yen shops offer a diverse range of products,including:
Household goods
Stationery
Kitchenware
Food items
cosmetics
Cleaning products
When Did the 100-Yen shop Concept Begin?
The concept of uniform-priced goods originated in 1926 with an event store in the Takashimaya Department Store in Osaka. Items were sold at a uniform price of 10 centimeters (equivalent to about 100 yen today).
Who is Credited with Popularizing the Modern 100-Yen Shop Model?
While the concept of uniform pricing gained popularity in the mid-1970s,the modern 100-yen shop model is largely attributed to Daiso,which began in Hiroshima in 1991. Founder Yano Hirotake achieved success by selling all items for 100 yen.
How Has Daiso Expanded Over Time?
Daiso experienced rapid growth in the late 1990s, capitalizing on consumer needs during the post-bubble economy recession. The company built trust by offering affordable products of reasonable quality across various categories. Daiso has expanded its private brand (PB) ratio and increased its product offerings to over 100,000 items per store.
How Many Daiso Stores Are There?
As of 2024, Daiso operates approximately:
3,600 stores in Japan
5,000 stores overseas
How Does Daiso Operate in Korea?
Daiso in Korea operates as a partner company with a brand use contract but no capital ties to Japan. Originally named “Asko ibn Plaza” in 1997, it became “daiso Prayer Industry” in 2001. It adapted the Japanese 100-yen shop model to the Korean market, starting with a uniform price of 1,000 won.
How Do Japanese and Korean Daiso Compare?
| Feature | Japan’s Daiso | Daiso Korea |
| ——————- | ————————————————– | ——————————————————– |
| Focus | Innovation, efficient product planning | Benchmarks Japanese strategies; increases PB products |
| Brand Identity | Emphasizing eco-amiable and design-oriented products | Emphasizing eco-friendly and design-oriented products |
What is Daiso’s Strategy for Staying Competitive?
Japan’s Daiso remains competitive through innovation and efficient product planning. Daiso Korea benchmarks these strategies to increase its own private brand products. Both Korean and Japanese Daiso have recently focused on reorganizing brand identities, emphasizing eco-friendly and design-oriented products that prioritize sustainability.
