January 15, 2026
Copy by Camryn Carr
Photos by Sofia Upton
On Aug. 9, the Japanese retail company Daiso opened its first Arkansas location in Fayetteville. This one-stop shop, filled with affordable products ranging from home goods and cosmetics to beverages and food, has gained global popularity, and now people in Fayetteville can experience the excitement for themselves.
For sales associate and sophomore Lily Blalock, the Fayetteville opening felt especially meaningful because of her personal experience in Japan.
“About two and a half years ago, I was able to go to Japan myself and stay with an exchange family and we actually went to a Daiso store,” Blalock said. “I didn’t realize until after I submitted my application that it was actually the same store, and I thought that was really cool.”
Though the variety of products does make Daiso special, Blalock added that it is the staff, many of whom are students at the University of Arkansas, who take pride in upholding the store and making it feel welcoming for customers, that make a difference.
“My coworkers try to make it the best experience for everyone, while providing quality items at a reasonable price,” Blalock said. “I really hope, as someone who has worked there and helped merchandise a lot of the items, the diversity of everything we have is something shoppers will love.”
The pride from employees is matched by the customers, who appreciate what Daiso is bringing to the Fayetteville community. Junior Alice Morello, an interior architecture and design major, said she was impressed by the selection of products available.
“Daiso does a good job of bringing authentic, oriental products to an area in Arkansas that doesn’t really have many options,” Morello said. “I initially went to the store to find chopsticks for the lunches I bring to school, but when I saw the food aisle, I immediately gravitated toward that section because I love Asian cooking.”
Students and other customers alike see Daiso as more than just a store, but as a resource for a combination of convenient shopping and international culture.
“It really is the perfect store for new college students, because you can really find everything you need there at a low price,” Morello said. “NWA is a lot more diverse compared to the rest of Arkansas, but [she thinks] Daiso adds a lot of fun and culture to the community and will hopefully lead to more international stores opening.”
Beyond first impressions, a frequent shopper like junior Victoria Correa, a supply-chain major, enjoys the everyday practicality found in Daiso and explains why customers keep coming back.
“I love shopping at Daiso because of the great variety of items, which is what initially made me really excited to shop there,” Correa said. “I definitely can see it becoming more of an everyday store because of the products they have, and the prices being relatively low.”
Customers and employees agree that Daiso has something for everyone in Fayetteville. It has brought a great addition of cultural value to the community, as well as a new place to shop for day-to-day needs.
“I love that Daiso brings more culture to Fayetteville,” Correa said. “It’s fun to see products and traditions from another country right here in our community. It makes shopping feel like an experience, not an errand.
