Who Owns Don Quijote? Can You Invest in the Company?

Don Quijote, known in Japan as “Donki”, is one of the most popular stores for tourists and locals alike. Open late, packed with souvenirs, snacks, cosmetics, electronics—you name it, they have it!

But who runs Donki? Is the company doing well financially? And can you invest in it?

Let’s take a simple look. 👀

🏢 Company Behind Donki

Don Quijote is operated by a company called Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH).

🗓️ Founded: 1980
📍 Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
💼 Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange (Ticker: 7532)
👥 Over 16,000 employees

PPIH runs many stores in Japan and overseas, including:

Don Quijote (discount store)
MEGA Donki (larger version)
Apita / Piago (supermarkets)
Don Don Donki (international version in Singapore, Thailand, etc.)

💰 How’s the Business Doing?

PPIH is growing fast and making solid profits.

📈 Sales (2024): Over ¥2 trillion (about $13 billion)
💵 Operating Profit: Over ¥140 billion
📊 Same-store sales: Still rising year over year
🏬 New stores: Opening more locations in Japan and abroad

Tourism from abroad (especially from Asia) is helping a lot, as many tourists love shopping at Donki during their trips to Japan.

🌏 Donki Is Expanding Overseas!

Donki isn’t just a Japanese thing anymore.

🛫 Stores are now in:

Singapore
Thailand
Malaysia
Hong Kong
USA (Hawaii, California)

The international brand name is “Don Don Donki”, and it’s also gaining popularity thanks to its Japanese vibe and food.

⚠️ Risks to Know

Even though the company is strong, here are a few things to keep in mind:

💱 Yen Weakness: Good for tourists, but risky for profits abroad
🧳 Tourism dependency: If travel slows, sales may drop
🏷️ Not super cheap: The stock is trading at a fairly high valuation
🛍️ More competition: Drugstores and other discount chains are catching up

📈 Can You Invest in Donki?

Yes! You can invest in PPIH (Ticker: 7532) on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

If you’re outside Japan:

Use a broker that supports Japanese stocks
Some platforms like Interactive Brokers or Rakuten Securities (for foreigners in Japan) allow access

The company offers:
✅ Steady growth
✅ Long history of dividends
✅ Global expansion strategy

But be sure to research and consider the risks. Always invest wisely!