Home improvement retailer wins first regional Brand of the Year award

Chin says the company is now geared to bring new store formats to new communities in different types of markets.

HOME improvement store chain MR DIY has been accorded the Brand of the Year regional award at the World Branding Awards 2021-2022.

The awards recognise the world’s best brands based on brand valuation, as well as through consumer market research and public online voting.

For the past three years, MR DIY had received the national award, which is presented to leading brands in each participating country.

This is the first time MR DIY has won the regional award, which recognises top brands in a particular region.

The home-grown retailer has 853 stores nationwide across three brands: MR DIY, MR Dollar and MR Toy.

Outside Malaysia, it has stores in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei.

Dedicating the award to the company’s employees, MR DIY marketing group vice-president Andy Chin praised them for their work as well as their commitment and perseverance despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Becoming a regionally recognised brand also demonstrates that we are well on the way to becoming the leading retailer across Asean,” he said.

Chin said the award was also a reflection of customer loyalty since its first store opened in Kuala Lumpur in 2005.

Underscoring the company’s commitment to deliver convenience, value and low prices, he said MR DIY was now geared to bring “new store formats to new communities in different types of markets”.

He added that the company’s “environmental, social, and corporate government” focus was also being expanded.

Since 2020, MR DIY has launched more than 50 programmes across the region to support communities affected by the pandemic.

This ranges from sourcing personal protective equipment and other necessities directly from manufacturers, to giving out care packs and providing hospitals with medical as well as non-medical equipment.

The 2021-2022 World Branding Awards saw 150 brands from 41 countries named Brand of the Year at Kensington Palace in Britain on Nov 25.