Driven by a vision to make home improvement goods accessible and affordable to everyone, Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Yu Yeh embarked on a journey that would revolutionize the retail industry. In 2005, he took the first step by opening the inaugural Mr. DIY store in Selangor. Little did he know that this modest venture would grow into a retail giant with over 1,200 stores by 2024.
Humble Beginnings
Tan Yu Yeh’s journey into the home improvement industry was anything but conventional. With a background in physics and engineering, he had no prior experience in retail. However, he recognized a gap in the market—Malaysians struggled to find affordable home improvement items, often having to visit multiple stores to gather everything they needed.
Determined to make home improvement more accessible, Tan Yu Yeh launched Mr. DIY with thousands of products. This concept quickly resonated with the public. Customers no longer had to navigate multiple stores to find the products they needed. The affordability of Mr. DIY’s offerings made home improvement projects accessible to a broader audience. By the end of its first year, Mr. DIY had expanded to three branches.
Initially, the store offered a wide range of home improvement items, from tools and hardware to household essentials, all under one roof. This concept quickly resonated with the public, as it addressed a significant market gap. Customers no longer had to navigate multiple stores to find the products they needed, and the affordability of Mr. DIY’s offerings made home improvement projects accessible to a broader audience.
Strategic Growth and Expansion
The turning point for Mr. DIY came in 2008 when the brand shifted its focus from standalone stores to mall-based outlets. The first mall branch opened in the AEON shopping mall in Malaysia, followed by openings in Tesco and Giant malls. This strategy proved to be a game-changer, as it positioned Mr. DIY as a convenient one-stop shop for home improvement needs within larger retail complexes.
CEO Ong Chu Jin Adrian explained that Mr. DIY filled a unique niche in the market: “Our stores are a one-stop center for everything that a home could need—except groceries, which is the specialty of the large retailers.” With a product range that included hardware, car accessories, jewelry, and toys, Mr. DIY became a household name in Malaysia.
Embracing E-commerce and Diversification
In 2017, Mr. DIY launched its online store, offering customers the convenience of shopping from home. Products were delivered within 2-5 days, and customers could also opt for in-store pickups, a service made easy by Mr. DIY’s widespread presence across Malaysia.
The company didn’t stop there. It expanded into new markets with the introduction of subsidiaries like Mr. TOY, a store dedicated to affordable children’s toys, and Mr. DOLLAR, a dollar-store concept launched in 2020. These ventures reflected Mr. DIY’s commitment to adapting to changing consumer needs.
The Keys to Success
Mr. DIY’s success can be attributed to its wide range of high-quality products at competitive prices. By leveraging its extensive network of stores, the company is able to purchase products in bulk, passing the savings on to customers. As a homegrown brand, Mr. DIY understands the needs of its customers and has demonstrated agility in responding to market demands.
As of 2023, Mr. DIY had a net profit of MYR 144.9 million and revenue of MYR 1.1 billion. The company shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, Mr. DIY plans to open 180 additional stores, aiming to surpass 2,000 stores by 2028. CEO Adrian Ong highlighted the company’s resilience and commitment to making household essentials affordable and accessible, despite economic challenges.
With over 1,200 stores as of August 2024, Mr. DIY has solidified its position as a leader in the home improvement retail industry, both in Malaysia and abroad.
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