How a single Malaysian hardware store grew into a multinational retail empire of 6,000 locations

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Starting as a modest hardware shop in Kuala Lumpur in 2005, MR.DIY has transformed into a sprawling international network. Today, the brand operates over 6,000 stores across 15 countries, blending home improvement with general merchandise through a diverse array of retail formats that cater to both urban and rural shoppers.

Founded by Tan Yu Yeh, who was joined by his brother Tan Yu Wei in 2011, the business began with a single outlet on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The company’s growth strategy relied on a broad product assortment, typically carrying over 17,000 items ranging from hardware and electrical goods to cosmetics and toys. By 2009, the chain began entering shopping centres, and it subsequently diversified its brand identity with the introduction of specialized formats like MR.TOY in 2019 and the value-oriented MR.DOLLAR in 2020.

The corporate structure is complex, reflecting its rapid international expansion. While Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (MDGM) serves as the flagship entity for Malaysia and Brunei, the wider international network—spanning markets from Spain and Poland to South Africa and Vietnam—is held through separate investment vehicles like Mr D.I.Y. International Holding Ltd. These international arms maintain common ownership and management links with the Malaysian group, which provides essential services such as logistics and procurement, even though they remain outside the consolidated financial results of the Malaysian-listed company.

Public markets have played a significant role in the brand's scaling. In October 2020, the Malaysian group launched an IPO that raised about RM1.5 billion, marking the country's largest listing in three years. The expansion continued into Thailand, where the local subsidiary listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in November 2025, raising approximately ฿5.6 billion. By August 2026, the brand had established a presence in 15 countries, demonstrating how a localized hardware concept can evolve into a global retail powerhouse through strategic diversification and public capital.

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