Asian giant coming to South Africa to take on Builder’s Warehouse

MR D.I.Y. has announced its expansion to South Africa, with the retailer opening its first store in Pretoria at the end of June. 

This is set to bring fresh competition to South Africa’s home improvement and building materials retail space, which has seen strong growth over the past five years. 

Following the pandemic-era boom in home improvement, demand for building materials has remained elevated. 

Local incumbents, such as Massmart’s Builder’s Warehouse, SPAR’s Build it, and Cashbuild, have seen strong growth in this sector, despite South Africa’s stagnant economy.  

MR D.I.Y., a Malaysian retail brand, has grown from its first hardware store in 2005 to having nearly 5,000 stores across Asia and Europe. 

Today, it has a global footprint in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Spain, and Poland. 

South Africa will become the 14th country in MR D.I.Y.’s global network, marking its first continental expansion into Africa.

Anchored on its promise of offering everyday essentials in convenient locations and at “Always Low Prices”, the retailer carries a broad range of more than 17,000 types of products, including hardware, household items, electrical goods, stationery, toys, and more. 

MR D.I.Y.’s first store in South Africa will open its doors at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre in the heart of Pretoria on 28 June 2025.

“We are thrilled to expand our global presence into South Africa, representing our first expansion into the African continent,” MR D.I.Y. South Africa’s Head of Business Development, Jamie Williams, said.  

“South Africa is a dynamic and growing market, with increasing demand for affordable, high-quality household and lifestyle products.” 

“As consumers become more value-conscious, our business model, built on a broad product range and a convenient shopping experience, is well-positioned to meet their needs.” 

With a strong global presence, MR D.I.Y. has a reputation for delivering value, operational excellence, and a commitment to customers. 

Williams also announced that MR D.I.Y. aims to have a total of six stores across the country by the end of 2025. 

“This expansion will provide customers with a wider range of value-driven options and generate new job opportunities, creating a lasting benefit on local economies, demonstrating our dedication to making a meaningful impact in every community we serve,” said Williams.