From Malaysia to Europe: How Mr. DIY Is Scaling a 5,200-Store Retail Empire

From One Store to 5,200: The Mr. DIY Growth Story

When Leo Gan took the stage, he summarized the journey of Mr. DIY in one phrase: small country, big dreams.

Founded in Malaysia in 2005 as a single hardware store, Mr. DIY has grown into one of Asia's most aggressive retail expansion stories. Twenty years later, the company operates more than 5,200 stores across 14 markets and welcomes over 470 million customers annually.

Now, Europe is next.

Mr. DIY began as a traditional hardware retailer selling tools, paint and basic supplies. But customer feedback reshaped the model. Shoppers wanted more than hardware. They wanted everyday solutions across multiple categories.

Today, the retailer offers approximately 20,000 SKUs across 90 categories, including home essentials, stationery, toys, home decor, tools, sports equipment, electrical items and seasonal products.

International expansion began in 2015 with Brunei and Thailand. Since then, growth has accelerated dramatically. In the past year alone, the company opened more than 1,000 stores. In 2026, it is on track to open 1,200 additional stores, averaging three new openings per day.

Scale, Reach and Reliability as Core Pillars

Gan highlighted three key pillars behind the company's rapid growth: scale, reach and reliability.

All 5,200 stores are self funded and self operated. This model gives Mr. DIY full operational control, flexibility in execution and a long term strategic horizon. Store sizes range from 500 to 3,000 square meters, allowing the brand to adapt to various retail environments.

High transaction volumes reflect the concept's momentum. In newer European markets such as Poland and Spain, stores are generating between 800 and 2,000 transactions per day.

Retailtainment and the Power of Discovery

Mr. DIY has evolved beyond being a low cost essentials retailer. The company has embraced what Gan describes as retailtainment, blending retail and entertainment to increase dwell time and repeat visits.

Newer store formats are designed for discovery and engagement. Layouts encourage browsing, and some locations include family friendly elements such as playground areas to increase time spent in store.

The goal is not simply to fill space for landlords, but to create destination retail environments. Mr. DIY positions itself as a long term partner to property owners by driving foot traffic and consistent transaction volumes.

The Glocalization Strategy Driving International Success

Central to the expansion strategy is glocalization, combining global scale with local adaptation.

While the core operating model is standardized, product assortment and store experience are tailored to local customer preferences using data insights. This balance allows Mr. DIY to scale efficiently while remaining relevant in each market.

Brand building has also been a priority. The company invests heavily in marketing to strengthen awareness as it enters new regions.

Europe: The Next Big Chapter for Mr. DIY

With strong momentum in Spain and Poland, Mr. DIY is preparing to expand further into Europe. Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary are scheduled for launch next year. The company is also exploring opportunities in Germany and neighboring markets.

The European push represents a significant milestone for the Malaysian retailer. What began as a single hardware store has evolved into a diversified value retailer with global ambitions.

Gan's message to European partners is clear: Mr. DIY is not just another tenant. It is a traffic driver, a scale operator and a long term growth partner.

What Retail Executives Should Watch

Mr. DIY's trajectory offers a clear lesson for ambitious retailers: scale only works when it is backed by operational control and customer relevance.

By self funding and self operating every store, the company maintains speed, consistency and long term flexibility. Its glocalization strategy ensures that rapid international rollout does not come at the expense of local relevance. And by investing in retailtainment, Mr. DIY turns value shopping into a destination experience that drives frequency and basket growth.

For European landlords and retail partners, the message is equally important. High traffic, strong transaction volumes and category breadth position Mr. DIY as a footfall anchor, not just another discount tenant.

In a market defined by cautious consumers and margin pressure, the retailers that win will be those that combine value, scale and experience. Mr. DIY is betting that disciplined expansion and destination driven stores will secure its place in Europe's next chapter of retail growth.