AEON to Open More Malls Within Three Years in Malaysia

JOHOR BAHRU (Johor), Sept 7 (Bernama) – AEON Co (M) Bhd plans to open another one or two more malls in Peninsular Malaysia in the next three years, following improved consumer sentiment in the retail market since last year. Executive Director Poh Ying Loo said to date, the company had 27 malls, nationwide. "We will be opening one in Kuching, Sarawak, in the second quarter of 2018, and we will open one or two more in Peninsular Malaysia in the next three years,” he told reporters after the opening of the new AEON Mall in Bandar Dato’ Onn by AEON Co Chairman Iskandar Sarudin. Poh said the company would invest more than RM300 million on the Kuching mall, adding that the company remained optimistic of the retail market in Malaysia, despite the challenging landscape as consumers were more cautious of their spending. "Generally, I think we are seeing some slight improvement in (consumer) sentiment compared with last year. "Although there will be more players entering the market, I think there should be enough business opportunities for all of us," he said, adding that the company was currently one of three leading retail players in the local market. Located within 25 minutes of the Johor Bahru town centre, AEON Mall Bandar Dato’ Onn comprised a built up-area of over 11.14 hectares with about 5.57 hectares of net lettable area housing 150 retail outlets, offering more than 500 jobs. -- BERNAMA