Japan Home announced closing-down sales at five outlets between June and July through its Facebook page, while its website shows that the retailer’s membership program has been terminated with effect from July 21.
The Business Times reported on Wednesday that three outlets had closed, while several others were temporarily shut for “stocktaking.”
Japan Home staff told the news outlet that the closures resulted from a “change of management,” with some stores expected to reopen and be jointly operated with discount chain Value Dollar (Valu$).
Several outlets are already jointly operated with Valu$, with more expected to follow, they said.
Valu$ is operated by DD Pte Ltd, which was founded by fast-moving consumer goods brand Radha Exports in 2005.
Japan Home announced on its website on Thursday that it had licensed its brand to Radha Exports to operate its retail stores in Singapore under a three-year deal effective Aug. 19.
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A Japan Home store in Singapore. Photo from Google Maps |
Japan Home was established in 1991 in Hong Kong, where it is a major household retailer operated by International Housewares Retail.
Its co-founders, Ngai Lai Ha and Peter Lau Pak Fai, are listed as directors of the Singapore-registered Japan Home Retail, which is 30% owned by Radha Japan.
The chain entered the city-state in 1999 with three outlets and was popular for its affordable lifestyle and home products. It had grown to 34 outlets prior to the closures, according to its website.
The Singapore business has been loss-making in recent years. Its loss after tax from continuing operations more than doubled year-on-year to S$2.3 million for the year ended April 30, 2025.