On Saturday a new shopping destination drew crowds to the Guam Premier Outlets. The popular Japanese dollar store chain Daiso has officially opened the doors to it’s newest location at GPO, with shoppers lining up to take part in the too-good-to-be-true deals!

Ribbon cutting, cheers, and an eager crowd ready to shop – Daiso has a new home, opening its latest location this past weekend. The Japanese retailer, known for affordable finds and endless variety, first made its Guam debut just over a year ago at the Village of Donki in Tamuning.   Now, they’ve packed up and moved into their new home in one of the island’s favorite shopping hubs.

Following their soft opening, general manager of Daiso Mid-Pacific, Norma Villanueva, says foot traffic is already on the rise. She told KUAM News, “A lot of customers are coming in and saying how convenient the location is. Plus, we’re getting a lot of new customers that just weren’t going to our old location. So, we’re very excited to be here!”

And customers have plenty of items to choose from, as Villanueva continued, “So we really offer almost everything. Stationary, storage, tools, snacks, everyday essentials at a really valued price.”

Daiso Guam stocks nearly 7,000 products with 1,000 new items rotating in every month.  And while variety is a selling point, price is the real draw with 90% of their items now selling for just $2. “But when we had the opportunity to move down here, we went back to Daiso Japan and said ‘You know, we’re so close to Japan, we’re not really impacted by any tariffs, and we really want to be known for being value oriented. So we adjusted our retails and now most of the items in our stores are $2," explained the GM.

Villanueva says GPO was the clear choice for the move, noting, “GPO is a very popular destination not just for locals, but also for tourists. It’s one of my favorite shopping places. Being right across from ROSS attracts the same kind of customers that we target as well. So we’re very excited to be here.”

Saturday’s grand opening included a blessing from Father Paul Gofigan, who prayed, “Peace be upon this store, upon all who work here, and those who enter.”  There was also an exciting Japanese drum performances by Dolphin Jump, some Hafa Adai spirit with dance performances by Natibu, and messages of support from island leaders. 

Speaker Frank Blas, Jr. was among those congratulating the Daiso GPO team, saying, “Now, I’m going to come down to GPO more often! I hope that the rest of you do, too. Congratulations! You guys have an awesome job! I can see your smiles – please, keep that smile on your face every day. It brings them back in! Bring that enthusiasm!”

Daiso Mid-Pacific director Donovan Paulino echoed that excitement, telling KUAM News, “It is an exciting moment for us and we’re grateful that you have taken the time to celebrate with us. Our team has worked hard to create a shop with the variety of merchandise you have come to expect from shopping at a Daiso store.”

“And the best part of it is it is all available to you at a price that is affordable. You will find that 90% of the items in our store retail for $2.”

But beyond bargains, Paulino says the company is invested in giving back. "This celebration isn’t just about a new store," he said. "It’s about being part of this community, building connections, fostering relationships, and creating memorable experiences."

“As part of our efforts to develop our team, we would like to share that since May 2024 we’ve had three of our team members participate in the Guam Apprenticeship Program. This program provides formal education at GCC, training at our stores, and upon completion of the program our associates will be nationally recognized in store management, office management, and marketing. We’re very proud of our apprentices.”

The grand opening also came with a few perks – free gifts for the first 100 customers, gift certificate raffles, and dollar deals.  But the promotions aren’t stopping there - each week, one featured product will drop to just $1 for the day. 

Daiso is also offering weekly 10% discounts every Tuesday through its free Platinum Club membership. And as for what’s next – Villanueva says expansion is already in the works.

“So in February of next year we will be opening a second location in Mangilao. We’re also looking for a space up in the north where we can build our flagship store," she said.

So whether you’re looking for home organizers, fishing gear, school supplies, or just some fun finds, Daiso at GPO promises a wide variety at a price that won’t break the bank. And with more stores planned, the dollar-store giant looks set to stay a big part of Guam’s shopping scene.