Niigata Prefecture Shibata City - The History of Hard Off: From the 1990s to the 2020s

Niigata Prefecture Shibata City - The History of Hard Off: From the 1990s to the 2020s

1990s: Establishment and Foundation Building - 1993, Niigata Prefecture, Shibata City
In 1993, Hard Off Corporation was founded in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture. At that time, Japan was becoming more conscious of recycling and environmental issues. The company focused on buying and selling used electronics and audio equipment as its core business. By involving the local community, the company achieved rapid growth, reaching an annual sales figure of over 10 billion yen in its early years.

2000s: Nationwide Expansion and Stock Listing - November 2000, JASDAQ Market
In November 2000, Hard Off was listed on the JASDAQ market, enhancing its brand power and financial capabilities. Within five years of listing, the company expanded to over 400 stores nationwide. It also introduced new business formats such as Off House and Mode Off, entering the reuse markets for clothing, furniture, and daily necessities. In 2001, in response to the Home Appliance Recycling Law, the company developed a system to collect and resell approximately 100,000 appliances annually.

2010s: Overseas Expansion and Specialized Stores - 2014, Overseas Expansion Begins
In 2014, Hard Off began expanding overseas, establishing a presence in the United States and Taiwan. By 2019, it had over 800 stores domestically, solidifying its position as a leader in the reuse market. The company also opened specialized stores such as "Audio Salon" for audio equipment and "Instrument Studio" for musical instruments to meet diverse consumer needs. In its instrument division alone, it handled over 500,000 products annually.

2020s: Contribution to Regional Economy and Innovation - 2023, Niigata City
In the 2020s, Hard Off opened "PC Store" and "Tool Store" in Niigata City, catering to the needs of DIY users and professionals. The company processes over 30,000 used PCs annually and has introduced special data erasure software to enhance service reliability. In 2023, Hard Off also participated in the establishment of the Niigata Venture Association (NVA) to promote startup support and regional economic revitalization. To further reduce environmental impact, the company has developed a system to reuse over 1 million products annually.

Hard Off continues to evolve as a company that balances sustainable development through recycling with contributions to regional economic growth. It aims to meet the changing needs of consumers while expanding its business both domestically and internationally.