CJ CheilJedang announced on the 21st that a dedicated space for the Bibigo brand has been opened in Don Quijote. Don Quijote is a representative discount store operated by the Japanese large retail company Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH).
Through this dedicated space, CJ CheilJedang plans to increase brand recognition and experience rates for Bibigo, targeting local Japanese consumers as well as overseas tourists. The Don Quijote Bibigo-exclusive space will sell 17 types of products, including Bibigo seaweed snacks, cup udon, soup dishes, bulgogi sauce, and 1-minute rings, which are being introduced for the first time in Japan.
This is to confirm the potential for market success of new items in Don Quijote, primarily utilized by Japan's youth. The design of the space includes Korean phrases such as "delicious" and "yum yum," as well as images of tourist attractions in Seoul, like "N Seoul Tower" and "Namdaemun," to attract consumer attention.
The Bibigo space is currently installed in over 200 Don Quijote stores across Japan. CJ CheilJedang plans to expand its exclusive space to more than 600 retail stores of PPIH Group, including all Don Quijote stores, by the end of this year.
A representative from CJ CheilJedang said, "Through the Bibigo dedicated space at PPIH, we can now present Bibigo K-food to more local consumers," and added, "We will continue to strengthen collaboration with overseas retailers to lead the expansion of 'global K-food territory.'"
Meanwhile, CJ CheilJedang is focusing on expanding its local operations in Japan by investing about 100 billion won to build a new dumpling factory. This move is seen as a response to the K-trend spreading throughout Japanese lifestyle culture as a future growth opportunity, according to CJ CheilJedang.
The new factory is under construction in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, with a total floor area of about 8,200 square meters. The advanced production line at this factory is expected to start producing Bibigo dumplings in September for distribution across Japan. Currently, CJ CheilJedang's Bibigo dumplings, frozen kimbap, and sauce products are sold in major retail channels such as AEON, Costco, Amazon, and Rakuten.