Japan Home stores in S'pore reopen after handover to company behind Valu$

Japan Home stores in Singapore have reopened days after several were found shuttered or closed for stocktaking, with Valu$ goods appearing on the shelves.

International Housewares Retail Company Limited (IH Retail), the parent company of the Japan Home brand, said in a press release that all its stores in Singapore resumed operations on Aug. 20 following the completion of transition arrangements.

What actually happened

On Aug. 13, an indirect subsidiary of IH Retail signed a three-year master franchise agreement with Radha Export Pte Ltd, which the company described as "the engine behind the ABC and Valu$ stores in Singapore”.

The handover of existing stores was completed on Aug. 19.

The agreement gives Radha the exclusive right to run the Japan Home business in Singapore, including through sub-franchisees, and to open additional outlets.

IH Retail said Radha brings experience in consumer goods and wholesale distribution along with local operational expertise and an established supply chain network.

It also expects Radha's local capabilities to improve store operating efficiency, responsiveness to market demand, and brand awareness in Singapore.

The arrangement is expected to support the brand's expansion in Singapore and across Southeast Asia over the next three years, IH Retail added.

What staff thought was happening

The Business Times previously reported that some Japan Home workers believed that the chain had been "sold to Valu$ entirely”, while others put it down to a "change of management”.

What led up to this

Five outlets at Hougang Mall, Century Square, Northpoint City, Harbourfront Centre and Buangkok Square held closing-down sales between June and July 2026.

When BT visited nine stores on Aug. 18, it found three shuttered and six closed for stocktaking, with Valu$ stock in several stores and Valu$ staff clearing shelves at Waterway Point.