Retailer Kiokii and… Inc. has a vision to be the premier one-stop shop for trendy Asian products, providing North American customers with convenient access to the latest innovations and trends from Asia.
CEO/Founder Echo Peng said the brand aspires to be the go-to platform that showcases the advantages of Asian products, making them easily accessible and enjoyable for customers right at their doorstep.
And the concept, which curates a selection of high-quality, authentic brands, is in expansion mode.
The company currently has nine stores in the Greater Toronto Area with plans to open three more locations this year – at CF Richmond Centre in Richmond, B.C., at CF Chinook Centre in Calgary and at the West Edmonton Mall in Vancouver. It also has plans to open by April 2025 at CF Pacific Centre in Vancouver.
Kiokii’s corporate head office is in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
The first store opened July 2022 at the Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill followed by a second store in September 2022 at CF Markville in Markham, Ontario. In December 2022, it acquired three other stores. Then in 2023 it opened four stores.
Its flagship stores include CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto and Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
The brand set up its first warehouse in June 2022 followed by the opening of a second warehouse in February of this year.
“We have aggressive expansion plans,” said Crystal Au, HR Manager and Peng’s assistant. “What we hope to become is the go-to destination so that whenever people in North America think of Asian beauty then they would think of Kiokii.”
“We’re so excited that by the end of the year we are going to enter these three top malls,” added Peng.
The brand said it is committed to delivering exceptional customer service, while highlighting the innovation, quality, and clean product concepts that Asian products are renowned for.
“Through our mission, we aim to revolutionize the beauty and personal care industry in North America, providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for customers to discover and embrace the benefits of Asian trendy products,” it said.
It is also providing a platform for Asian brands to enter the North American market.
Au said the goal is to make stores “cute and trendy and fashionable.”
Peng said when most people hear the word Kiokii they think of something Asian. The word also sounds similar to the word cute. The word Kiokii was created by Peng to give people the impression of Asia. Also with the brand called ‘Kiokii and . . .’ it gives the impression of more and imagination.
“The idea of the store is bringing the most popular, nice, good quality Asian trendy products to North America,” she said, adding that the majority of products come from Japan, China and Korea.
Peng said the stores range in size from 200 square feet to 3,300 square feet which will be CF Richmond Centre.
“Sometimes you have to dream big. If you see our logo, it’s like a K with a door open. Ideally I want to be the bridge for Asia and the door to North America,” she said.
Please open in Nova Scotia!! 🥺