Marukai Corporation U.S.A.

Marukai Corporation U.S.A. is an American offshoot chain of retail markets that imports and sells Japanese goods in American cities started by the Osaka, Japan-based Marukai Corporation, Incorporated. Unlike other Japanese supermarkets, which may carry non-Japanese products based on local diversity, Marukai has Hawaiian products as a core focus in addition to Japanese in all its stores. Its headquarters are in Gardena, California, in Greater Los Angeles.[1]

Marukai Corporation U.S.A., Inc.
Department store, grocer, former subsidiary of Marukai Corporation
IndustryDepartment stores, market
Founded1965 (1965) in Hawaii
Founders
  • Richard Matsu
  • Hidejiro Matsu
HeadquartersGardena, California
Number of locations
14
Area served
California, Hawaii
ProductsImported Japanese goods
OwnerDon Quijote
Number of employees
670 (400 in California, 270 in Hawaii)
DivisionsTokyo Central
Subsidiaries98cent Plus Markets (defunct)
Websitemarukai.com

History

The company was founded in 1965 by Richard and Hidejiro Matsu, sons of the founder of parent company Marukai Trading.[2] In 1975, the company established Marukai Los Angeles. By 1980, it changed to its current name and opened Marukai Wholesale Mart in Gardena, California. The company began to emphasize membership-based retail shopping.

In 1999, the company opened its first 98cent Plus Store carrying Daiso products, before Daiso had its own stores in US. The company has since expanded to 11 locations in California with over 400 employees in California. These stores sell Japanese food and household items.[3]

In 2013, Don Quijote purchased 100 percent of Marukai stock.[4] In 2015, Marukai started operating stores under the name Tokyo Central.[5]

Locations
Marukai Market in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
Tokyo Central & Main storefront in San Diego, California

Marukai

Tokyo Central

Controversy

On March 9, 2006, Marukai agreed to pay a $52,000 fine to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for selling 11 unregistered Japanese pesticide products.[7]

In 2011, the company was fined $222,030 for selling and distributing unregistered pesticides and mislabeled pesticide devices, violations that were found in 2008.[8]

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References
  1. "About Us Archived 2011-12-30 at the Wayback Machine." Marukai. Retrieved on December 22, 2011. "1740 WEST ARTESIA BLVD. GARDENA, CA 90248" - Japanese version Archived 2012-01-20 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Marukai to open Ward market". starbulletin.com. July 6, 1998. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  3. Marukai Corporation Archived 2008-04-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Marisa Yamane (July 30, 2013). "Don Quijote in process of purchasing Marukai stores". khon2.com. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  5. "Changes In Store". November 10, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  6. Alicia Robinson (November 15, 2017). "Asian market with sushi and sake bar may fill former Yorba Linda bowling alley". Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  7. "Pesticide fine". signonsandiego.com. May 9, 2006. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  8. "Large fine for Marukai Corporation for pesticide violations". Environmental Protection Agency. February 14, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
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