Looking for affordable high quality furniture? Japan’s Nitori debuts in the Philippines

Japanese furniture and homeware giant Nitori Co Ltd opened its first store in the Philippines on Thursday, kicking off an ambitious expansion plan that aims to see 50 stores established by 2032.

The initial store, located in Bonifacio Global City’s Mitsukoshi mall, follows a letter of intent submitted by Nitori to President Marcos during his visit to Japan in December 2023.

This move strengthens existing ties with the Philippines, where government agencies have been courting the company since 2015.

The DTI, alongside its affiliated agencies, has been actively collaborating with Nitori. Initial contact was made at the Manila FAME trade exhibition in 2015, with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Tokyo (PTIC-Tokyo) continuing discussions to explore investment opportunities.

The Board of Investments (BOI) further solidified this connection by facilitating a meeting at Nitori’s headquarters during a strategic investment mission to Japan in November 2022.

DTI officials urged Nitori to consider the Philippines as a potential sourcing hub for its furniture and home accessories, expanding the collaboration beyond retail operations.

Nitori’s Philippine entry adds to its established presence in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, signifying the company’s continued global expansion strategy.