Pan-Pacific International Holdings (PPIH), which operates the popular discount store chain Don Quijote, has announced the opening of a new store format called "Robin Hood" on April 24 in Ama City, Aichi Prefecture. This new store will emphasize food items, with approximately 60% of its sales area dedicated to groceries, and aims to generate about 75% of its revenue from food sales. In response to rising living costs and increasing consumer thriftiness, the store is designed to attract customers seeking budget-friendly shopping options.

The flagship product of the new store will be rice balls, with the cheapest variety called "dashi gohan" priced at just 85 yen, making it an affordable option for consumers. Other rice ball selections will be available, including varieties with wakame and a chicken mixture priced at 106 yen and 139 yen, respectively. Notably, all rice balls except for the red bean variety will use domestically produced rice, ensuring quality while keeping costs low.

Additionally, the store aims to strengthen its private brand offerings, planning to introduce 50 varieties of ready-to-heat items, such as bagged steamed vegetables by the opening date and increasing that number to 100 by the end of the year. This new initiative reflects PPIH's strategy to adapt to the current economic climate where consumers are increasingly looking for value while shopping for groceries.