Poland is Mr. DIY's 13th market

Poland is set to become Malaysian DIY chain Mr. DIY's newest market, according to the landing page of the retail group's website. The company has added Poland to its list of markets on the group page – ahead of Greece, Romania and Bulgaria – making it the 13th market for the Asian home improvement giant.

Mr. DIY began its foray into Poland in April when it opened a 5,000 m² logistics centre in Dąbrówka Wielka, central Poland. So far, it has not opened a retail outlet, although the country page linked to the group's website states that stores are "coming soon".

Late last year, DIY chief operating officer Leo Gan, who oversees business development, announced plans to enter the "very dynamic, competitive but promising market" following a site visit. Following Gan's visit to the country, Mr. DIY appointed retail executive Magdalena Nazarewicz, whose experience includes ten years at discount clothing and homeware retailer Pepco, as business development director for Mr. DIY Poland.

Since then, Mr. DIY Poland has made key appointments including Damian Ptaszyński as deputy business development director, Natalia Dąbrowska as import manager and Iwona Buchcic as marketing manager.

Recently, the company advertised on its LinkedIn page for an HR specialist for its new office in Łódź, who will lead and manage the company's recruitment and onboarding process.

Confirming the opening of Mr. DIY in the country, Buchcic said on LinkedIn. "Launching a new brand is one of the most interesting challenges in marketing. That is why I am so happy to take on this task again," she said. "The time has come for the Malaysian chain of Mr. DIY Poland stores, which will soon make its debut in Poland".

Poland will be the second EU market for Mr DIY after Spain – although Greece was expected to take the top spot, following the establishment of a subsidiary in the Mediterranean country back in 2021 and reports of a lease being negotiated for an 800 to 900 m² property in Athens earlier this year.

Mr. DIY ventured into Europe during the pandemic via a Turkish entry in 2021. If the company manages a debut in Poland in 2024, it will be the second market Mr. DIY has entered this year, following its foray into Bangladesh last January.

In addition to its home turf of Malaysia – where Mr. DIY is the dominant DIY retailer – Poland, Turkey, Spain and Bangladesh, the company, which operates all of its eponymous stores, is also present in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore…