FE SOGO shuts Dunhua store in Taipei

Far Eastern Sogo Department Store’s Dunhua branch in Taipei closed Sunday after 31 years, with operations shifting to the company’s other Taipei stores and the soon-to-open Garden City at Taipei Dome, CNA reported.

FE SOGO Chairperson Sophia Huang Led all staff of Dunhua Store Taken the Group Photo (Photo Credit: FE SOGO)

At the store’s closing event, Company Chair Sophia Huang (黃晴雯) thanked customers for their support and staff for their efforts. The store launched its “ByeBye Sale” in November, which boosted customer visits by more than 50% and drove a significant increase in sales.

Huang noted the Dunhua branch had an average annual revenue of NT$1.9 billion (US$60 million) and was Taiwan’s first department store to focus primarily on luxury goods, introducing many international brands to the country for the first time. She added that Taiwan’s first Ikea store opened at this location.

Customers Came to Dunhua Store for One Last Time on the Closing Night (Photo Credit: FE SOGO)

With the store’s lease expiring, the company decided to move its operations to other Taipei locations to boost revenue. The Fuxing branch targets luxury shoppers, the Zhongxiao branch focuses on household goods for all age groups, and the upcoming Garden City store will cater to younger customers with immersive experiences, dining, and entertainment.

The Garden City, set to open in March, will cover 30,000 ping (about 99,000 square meters). The complex will feature a shopping mall, a cinema on the first and sixth floors, and dining options connected to Taipei Dome. The company expects the store’s annual revenue to exceed NT$10 billion, on par with its Zhongxiao and Fuxing branches.

Huang noted that department stores need to shift to a more comprehensive shopping model, where customers can buy daily necessities while enjoying dining and entertainment.

The Dunhua store building belongs to Huang Hsiang Construction Corp., which had originally planned to turn it into high-end apartments. However, the company later changed its plan and is seeking new retail tenants for the property.