Daiso is a hot Japanese dollar store with plans to slowly spread across the US — see what it's like inside its newest store in NYC

Brittany ChangApr 29, 2022, 21:00 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

Japanese dollar store Daiso wants to open more than 15 stores in the US annually for the next 10 years.
The chain carries a wide range of Japanese products, including toys, kitchenware, and snacks.

One of the world's hottest dollar stores with a strong cult following is a brand you may have never heard of: Daiso.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But in the next few years, you might find yourself perusing its aisles at a new location near you.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This is Daiso, a Japanese "100-yen store" — which converts to under $1 — with stores around the world and a growing presence in the US.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The retailer currently operates about 6,000 stores worldwide, including 83 stores in the US.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And its stateside footprint is growing fast.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The brand plans to open over 15 stores in the US annually for the next 10 years, Shuhei Geshi, Daiso's store operations manager, told Insider in an email interview.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And if past grand openings are any indication of what future Daiso openings will look like, you can expect long lines, eager customers, and a flood of Daiso "haul" videos on YouTube.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And if past grand openings are any indication of what future Daiso openings will look like, you can expect long lines, eager customers, and a flood of Daiso "haul" videos on YouTube.

Given its price point, Daiso is often referred to as a "dollar store" like Dollar Tree or Dollar General …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… "but once you come to the store, you will know the differences between [Daiso and other dollar stores]," Geshi said.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The Japanese brand has all the classic goods available at any conventional budget store, including cleaning supplies, small decorations, and stationery.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But beyond that, it's a wonderland of products that'll probably never be available at a budget store in the US, like sushi rolling mats, popular Asian snacks …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… sandwich makers in the shape of a panda ...

Brittany Chang/Insider

… traditional Japanese tableware, and Asian skincare products.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It also sells plenty of products that you never knew you needed, whether it be laundry bags designed for socks …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… a two-in-one chopstick and ladle holder …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… or plastic ear caps.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Almost all of Daiso's products were created in-house, according to its website.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And it rolls out 800 new products monthly to create an ever-changing inventory that make customers "excited" to visit, Geshi said.

Brittany Chang/Insider

One of the brand's newest locations is in Brooklyn, New York.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's tiny but mighty and a prime example of how diverse Daiso's offerings can be.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The store is tucked away on the second floor of Brooklyn's aptly named "Japan Village."

Brittany Chang/Insider

The store was small but its aisles were clean and packed with a wide range of products. We're talking everyday and eclectic kitchenware …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… cute office supplies …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… children's toys …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… comforting snacks and meals …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and even gardening supplies.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The products' prices are often printed in yen directly onto the packaging, hence the easily accessible yen to US dollar conversion charts.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But for the most part, this location's inventory will run you anywhere between about $2 to $15, a price range that's significantly lower compared to other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But for the most part, this location's inventory will run you anywhere between about $2 to $15, a price range that's significantly lower compared to other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart.

And this low price point has caught the eyes of plenty of Brooklynites.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The second-floor store has only been open for two months, but it's already been a hit with locals.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I visited on a Monday afternoon, a traditionally quiet time for retailers, but still saw plenty of shoppers perusing the aisles as workers organized the shelves.

Brittany Chang/Insider

"It has been very busy," Geshi said regarding the new Brooklyn location. "We have more customers than we expected."

Brittany Chang/Insider

And within the next decade, you too may be able to experience the joys of bargain hunting in a diverse Japanese dollar store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

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Daiso is a hot Japanese dollar store with plans to slowly spread across the US &mdash; see what it's like inside its newest store in NYC

One of the world's hottest dollar stores with a strong cult following is a brand you may have never heard of: Daiso.

But in the next few years, you might find yourself perusing its aisles at a new location near you.

This is Daiso, a Japanese "100-yen store" — which converts to under $1 — with stores around the world and a growing presence in the US.

The retailer currently operates about 6,000 stores worldwide, including 83 stores in the US.

And its stateside footprint is growing fast.

The brand plans to open over 15 stores in the US annually for the next 10 years, Shuhei Geshi, Daiso's store operations manager, told Insider in an email interview.

And if past grand openings are any indication of what future Daiso openings will look like, you can expect long lines, eager customers, and a flood of Daiso "haul" videos on YouTube.

Given its price point, Daiso is often referred to as a "dollar store" like Dollar Tree or Dollar General …

… "but once you come to the store, you will know the differences between [Daiso and other dollar stores]," Geshi said.

The Japanese brand has all the classic goods available at any conventional budget store, including cleaning supplies, small decorations, and stationery.

But beyond that, it's a wonderland of products that'll probably never be available at a budget store in the US, like sushi rolling mats, popular Asian snacks …

… sandwich makers in the shape of a panda ...

… traditional Japanese tableware, and Asian skincare products.

It also sells plenty of products that you never knew you needed, whether it be laundry bags designed for socks …

… a two-in-one chopstick and ladle holder …

… or plastic ear caps.

Almost all of Daiso's products were created in-house, according to its website.

And it rolls out 800 new products monthly to create an ever-changing inventory that make customers "excited" to visit, Geshi said.

One of the brand's newest locations is in Brooklyn, New York.

It's tiny but mighty and a prime example of how diverse Daiso's offerings can be.

The store is tucked away on the second floor of Brooklyn's aptly named "Japan Village."

The store was small but its aisles were clean and packed with a wide range of products. We're talking everyday and eclectic kitchenware …

… cute office supplies …

… children's toys …

… comforting snacks and meals …

… and even gardening supplies.

The products' prices are often printed in yen directly onto the packaging, hence the easily accessible yen to US dollar conversion charts.

But for the most part, this location's inventory will run you anywhere between about $2 to $15, a price range that's significantly lower compared to other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart.

And this low price point has caught the eyes of plenty of Brooklynites.

The second-floor store has only been open for two months, but it's already been a hit with locals.

I visited on a Monday afternoon, a traditionally quiet time for retailers, but still saw plenty of shoppers perusing the aisles as workers organized the shelves.

"It has been very busy," Geshi said regarding the new Brooklyn location. "We have more customers than we expected."

And within the next decade, you too may be able to experience the joys of bargain hunting in a diverse Japanese dollar store.

Daiso is a hot Japanese dollar store with plans to slowly spread across the US — see what it's like inside its newest store in NYC