Pan Pacific International Holdings is launching a new private-brand product line featuring packaging printed only in black and white to reduce retail prices.
The move allows the operator of Don Quijote stores to pass savings directly to consumers by stripping away expensive color printing. This strategy addresses the financial pressure of rising material costs and ink shortages linked to Middle East tensions.
The new line consists of 26 different product items [4]. These essentials will be available nationwide across approximately 670 Don Quijote stores in Japan [1].
By eliminating color ink, the company has lowered the cost of production for basic household goods. For example, a 500 ml bottle of water will be sold for 40 yen [3]. Additionally, a five-box pack of tissues will be priced at 196 yen [2].
This shift toward minimalist packaging reflects a broader effort to maintain affordability for shoppers amid global supply chain volatility. The company said the simplified design is a direct response to the need for cost reduction in the current economic climate.
“packaging printed only in black and white to reduce retail prices”
This initiative signals a strategic pivot toward 'extreme value' branding in the Japanese retail sector. By treating packaging as a cost center rather than a marketing tool, Don Quijote is testing whether consumers will prioritize price over aesthetics during periods of high inflation and geopolitical instability.
