Retail News CRM

Tag: Malaysia

  • Malaysian customs urges small retailers to invest in GST-compliant sales system

    Malaysian customs urges small retailers to invest in GST-compliant sales system

    Installing a point-of-sale (POS) system to issue printed receipts as part of implementing the goods and services tax (GST) will only be a one-time investment, the Malaysian Customs Department’s GST division told operators of small businesses on Thursday.

    GST division director Datuk T. Subromaniam said the system will be usable for a long-term basis and would help businesses identify standard and zero-rated items, adding that adopting POS would cost between MYR3,000 (USD828) and MYR4,000.

    He also said tax deductions were available under Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) for businesses on purchases of information communication technology equipment, hardware and training.

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  • Starbucks Malaysia earns employer accolade

    Starbucks Malaysia earns employer accolade

    Starbucks Malaysia has earned top honors for its employment practices at the Aon Hewitt Best Employers of 2015 Awards.

    The Best of the Best award was presented to Starbucks Malaysia at the Awards Presentation and Learning Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

    The Aon Hewitt Best Employers Award is one of the most prestigious awards recognising companies with strong employee engagement, high-performance culture, effective leadership and a compelling brand. Aon Hewitt’s research is conducted over nine months and is active in a dozen Asia Pacific markets, including China, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia. The Malaysian survey was completed in partnership with TalentCorp Malaysia.

    Sydney Quays, MD of Starbucks Malaysia and Brunei, called the honor “one of the most significant recognitions that a company could get in validation to its human resources practices and talent management initiatives”.

    “We’re known for our coffee, but our people make us famous,” Quays added.

    A substantial part of Starbucks recognition was related to the company’s efforts to retain, engage and motivate partners.

    “Retention starts from hiring the right talent,” said June Beh, partner resources and compliance director for Starbucks Malaysia and Brunei.

    “We also highly invest in the training of every partner (employee) empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge.”

    Starbucks store manager Desmond Soon was given the opportunity last year to lead a district for the company. “This allowed me to create a lasting connection with the community, to be involved in company programs, and to share our amazing stories with customers,” Soon said.

    Starbucks Malaysia opened in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and today has more than 190 stores across the country.

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  • Aeon Malaysia plans two new malls

    Aeon Malaysia plans two new malls

    Aeon Malaysia will build two new malls this year, at a cost of 450 million Ringgit (US$121 million).

    Aeon Malaysia currently has 23 malls across the country, 29 Aeon hypermarkets and four smaller stores branded MaxValu.

    The two new centres will be built in Klebang in Perak and in Shah Alam in Selangor, part of greater Kuala Lumpur.

    “This has always been part of our expansion plan here,” explained Aeon Malaysia MD Nur Qamarina Chew.

    “Malaysia has shown resilient growth despite the ongoing economic challenges.”

    The company targets middle- and upper-income segments of Malaysian consumers, including the expat community.

    In a separate move, Aeon Malaysia will undertake a rebranding of its portfolio as it positions itself as ‘the primary retail lifestyle hub’ in the country.

    A budget of 8 million Ringgit ($2.1 million) has been set aside to rebrand the shopping centres Aeon Mall and adopt the tagline “Do Mall”.

    The company says it will work to create new activities and events at its malls throughout the year to encourage the perception of lifestyle rather than just a destination to go shopping.

    “We celebrated our 30th anniversary in Malaysia last year and it is time to rebrand Aeon as a lifestyle destination rather than just a shopping centre as we begin our new decade here,” said Chew.

    “We also think the timing is idea with this rebranding exercise, given the ongoing economic challenges and the new GST, as we would like our customers to spend more time with us for leisure purposes and not just for shopping.”

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  • Malaysia launches consumption tax despite public unease

    Malaysia launches consumption tax despite public unease

    Malaysia last week implemented a six percent consumption tax aimed at plugging a leaky tax-collection system and addressing a widening fiscal deficit, but which has sparked opposition protests over the past year.

    The government and economists say the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will help address an inadequate revenue-collection system under which income tax is currently paid by only an estimated 11 percent of registered companies and 14.8 percent of employees.

    But the GST has prompted demonstrations by opposition parties, who say consumers were being left with the bill for government mismanagement of the economy.

  • Gelatissimo seeks new Malaysian partner

    Gelatissimo seeks new Malaysian partner

    Australian gelato chain Gelatissimo is searching for a new franchise partner in Malaysia – but says its expansion strategy in Asia and beyond remains on track.

    Gelatissimo’s sole store in Malaysia, at The Gardens mall in Mid Valley, closed late last year after the partnership proved less than successful, but Carlos Antonius, the company’s international franchise development manager, says it remains committed to Malaysia.

    “We are currently in the market for a new franchise partner to capitalise on the brand equity already developed in Malaysia,” he told InsideRetail.Asia by email.

    Meanwhile, Gelatissimo operates successfully in international markets of Singapore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Philippines.

    “We are working collaboratively with our existing franchise partners to further develop our presence in these markets and are continually reviewing all aspects of our operations to drive the business forward,” said Antonius.

    “At the same time we are investigating additional market entry options into South East Asia and the Americas.”

    Gelatissimo launched in Australia with a concept store in 2002 and after quickly finding favour with customers, commenced franchising two years later.

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  • Fashion-conscious can rejoice as online retailer Zalora promises to absorb Malaysia’s GST

    Fashion-conscious can rejoice as online retailer Zalora promises to absorb Malaysia’s GST

    Online fashion retailer Zalora has promised to absorb the 6% goods and services tax (GST) on all its items if customers use a special voucher code.

    Overall, it said that its prices would be lower by 5%, even with GST, because it was only raising the prices on its website by less than 1%.

    “We decided to go all in, with the new ‘GSTOFF’ voucher, prices on Zalora will be lower than they were before GST,” the online retailer’s managing director for Malaysia Giulio Xiloyannis said in a statement today.

    “Not only has Zalora decided not to increase its prices by the 6% new GST levels, with prices pre-voucher rising less than 1% across the whole website, (we) decided to also apply a storewide 6% discount available to all customers, hence actually lowering prices for all by 5% compared to pre-GST prices,” he added.

    “GSTOFF” is an online voucher that will be activated March 31, a day before the GST takes effect on a broad range of goods as part of Putrajaya’s move to increase government revenue.

    “It will be guaranteed by Zalora for the whole month of April 2015,” said Xiloyannis.

    He said the voucher would apply to all Zalora in-house labels and international brands, and to 90% of the other brands on the online retailer.

    The fashion retailer joins local hypermarket chain Mydin as one of the few retailers so far who have announced that they will absorb the GST

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  • 1000 Degrees heads for Malaysia

    1000 Degrees heads for Malaysia

    US pizza company 1000 Degrees Pizzeria has chosen Malaysia as its first international market.

    The company said it would open its first pizza outlets in Kuala Lumpur, later this year in Kuala Lumpur, the federal capital, with an unidentified local partner.

    1000 Degrees says while Malaysia will be its first international market outside its US home base, talks are already underway with potential partners in Panama City, Qatar and Dubai.

    “We are excited to bring our spin on traditional Neapolitan Pizza, served in a fast-casual environment to the citizens of Kuala Lumpur,” said a company spokesman.

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    “We feel as if this city, which is experiencing tremendous growth, is ready for something new in the name of pizza.”

    1000 Degrees has grown rapidly during the past six months and expects over 60 franchisees to be signed by the end of third quarter of 2015.

    The franchise was started in northeastern US, but quickly has gained traction in 16 of the 50 states.

    The spokesman said Malaysia was chosen for its international debut because it was “an exciting place” and the company is working with “an exciting group of experienced operators” in Kuala Lumpur.

    1000 Degrees offers both single and multi-unit operators an opportunity to serve what they feel is the best pizza in the nation, for as little as $250,000 per unit.

     

  • Ikea Malaysia confirms new store

    Ikea Malaysia confirms new store

    Ikea Malaysia is finally to open its second store – nearly 20 years after the Swedish brand debuted in the country.

    The new store will be 20 per cent larger than the existing outlet in Mutiara Damansara and is scheduled to open by December.

    Ikea Malaysia opened its first store at 1 Utama Shopping Mall in 1996. After seven years it moved to its own standalone location at nearby Damansara which, when it opened, was the largest Ikea in Asia.

    “We are excited to confirm that the Ikea store in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, is set to open by the end of 2015, located at Jalan Cochran,” said Mike King, retail director

    of Ikea Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

    “The opening of Ikea Cheras is part of our overall expansion plan across southeast Asia in order to make Swedish home furnishings that are affordable, well-designed, functional and good quality available to everyone.”

    King said construction has already begun and the company is starting to focus on the interior fittings and operational setup of the store.

    Ikea in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore is operated by Ikano Pte Ltd.

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  • Malaysia retail sales slip

    Malaysia retail sales slip

    Retail sales in Malaysia fell by nearly one per cent in the last quarter of 2014 as consumers cut back spending, spooked by the looming introduction of GST.

    On April 1, Malaysia’s government introduces a goods and services tax on most items, excluding food, of six per cent.

    Sales in the fourth quarter fell 0.8 per cent year-on-year – the worst quarterly performance on record, and below predictions by the Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA).

    The poor fourth quarter lowered the full year figure to 3.4 per cent growth, compared with 4.5 per cent growth in the previous year.

    Retail Group Malaysia (RGM), in a report released this week titled Malaysia Retail Industry Report, said Christmas, lower fuel prices and the year-end sale season all failed to lift sales.

    “Furthermore, the (impending) implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) next month did not stimulate consumption during the last quarter (of 2014). Retailers used heavy discounts to encourage consumers to shop, but failed to generate higher sales. During the quarter, many retailers suffered declines in profit margin growth,” the report said.

    Department store sales fell 5.7 per cent last quarter, while hypermarket sales rose just one per cent. Fashion and accessory sales fell 2.2 per cent.

    Miscellaneous retailing – including optical products, second-hand goods, health and fitness equipment, toys, souvenirs, duty-free goods, arts and crafts, photographic equipment – and foodservice, believe it or not – performed the worst, with sales contracting 6.7 per cent.

    RGM is concerned consumers do not understand the potential impact – or lack thereof – on retail prices post-April 1.

    “Retail sales performance during the first two months of this year was below expectation as consumers were confused by different public messages on the prices of retail goods and services after March 2015,” it said.

    Possible rushed purchases – to avoid paying six per cent on big ticket items – may power sales growth in the first quarter of 2015. In the survey, MRA members said they were hopeful of a recovery, RGM estimating growth of 5.8 per cent.

    But RGM has lowered its 2015 full year prediction from 5.5 per cent growth to 4.9 per cent growth.

    “Malaysian consumers will get used to GST by the last quarter of 2015. Retail spending will return to normal again by this period. Retail is expected to recover strongly with a 6.9 per cent growth rate,” it said.

     

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  • Foodpanda Malaysia reaches 700

    Foodpanda Malaysia reaches 700

    In just three years, Foodpanda Malaysia has expanded its offer from 40 restaurants to more than 700.

    The online restaurant food delivery service this month markets its third birthday, with country manager of Foodpanda Malaysia, Sidney Ng, reflecting on how the business launched with just 40 restaurants operating in the Klang Valley, home to capital Kuala Lumpur..

    Now Ng says the network is larger than 700 and covers most major cities in the country, including Johor Bahru, Penang, Ipoh and Melaka.

    “Foodpanda Malaysia has come a long way,” said Ng.

    “From just taking orders via our website, progressing to a mobile friendly site and finally developing a mobile application.

    “We recognise modern consumers are moving towards mobile technology and we want to make ordering food as seamless as just a few taps on our app. We will also be launching a new version of our app very soon that will simplify the order process.”

    Foodpanda Malaysia has plans to expand its current delivery zones within the Klang Valley and to launch operations in Kota Kinabalu. It also plans to add more restaurants and to further develop its website, mobile application and overall operations.

    “We treasure our partnership with Foodpanda – they have definitely improved with leap and bounds in terms of both number of orders and operation efficiency since they started,” says Billie, the owner of Puzzini Pizza – one of Foodpanda’s early restaurants.

    Foodpanda Group is the leading global food delivery marketplace, active in 39 countries in five continents.

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  • Myer may be planning to close stores

    Myer may be planning to close stores

    Australian retail giant Myer could close seven stores to help reignite sales growth, analysts say.

    The department store chain has a number of underperforming stores that could be closed to simplify the business and improve its financial performance, Citigroup analysts said.

    Myer has 67 stores across Australia, mostly in capital cities, but also in regional centres including Bendigo, Ballarat, Dubbo, Orange, Wagga and Mackay. Sales could also be boosted by lifting staff numbers and spending more on marketing, the Citi analysts said.

  • Foodpanda Malaysia eats up rival

    Foodpanda Malaysia eats up rival

    Foodpanda Malaysia is now the largest food delivery service in the country after the US$110 million funding and acquisition of rival Food Runner Group.

    Sidney Ng, country manager of foodpanda Malaysia said the funding from investors underlined the confidence in the venture’s business model and the acquisition of Room Service brought significant synergies.

    Room Service has been in the food delivery industry since 2003 focusing mainly on high end restaurant food delivery in the Klang Valley.

    “With Room Service’s expertise in delivery system and Foodpanda’s strong online marketing, we believe that this synergy will bring in greater food variety and greater delivery efficiency to further delight our customers. This cements our commitment to bring the best restaurant experience directly to the doorsteps of Malaysia,” said Ng.

    Ralf Wenzel, co-founder and CEO of the Foodpanda Group said the investment and acquisition were further steps in the company becoming the leading online food delivery marketplace across the most promising and fastest growing emerging markets internationally.

    “The new funding allows us to fully focus on user experience and customer service with the aim of completely disrupting the way people order food by establishing a real alternative to pizza flyers and phone calls.”

    Foodpanda Group is active in 39 countries on five continents. The company enables restaurants to become visible in the online and mobile world and provides them with a constantly evolving online technology. For consumers, the group’s Foodpanda  and Hellofood brands offer the convenience of ordering food online and the widest gastronomic range, from which they can choose their favorite meal on the web or via an app.

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  • Spotlight Malaysia opens second store

    Spotlight Malaysia opens second store

    Australian fabric, craft, party and home and living superstore Spotlight has opened its second store in Malaysia.

    The new stores is in the IPC Shopping Centre, Mutiara Damansara in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur. It follows one in Ampang Point, Kuala Lumpur, which opened last July.

    Spotlight Malaysia 7-315.

    The store offers 2000sqm of retail space, and stocks 70,000 products in six categories: home furnishings and decor, bedding, dress and fashion fabrics, crafts, hobby and party essentials.

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    Spotlight GM Juno Gelfand said the expansion to the IPC mall was part of Spotlight’s philosophy “to be able to offer more neighbourhoods the largest possible choice of fashionable and affordable products”.

    Spotlight Malaysia 6-315.

    “We know too well the inconvenience of searching far and wide, running from store to store just to find that one (or more) beautiful decor piece.

    Spotlight Malaysia 4- 315.

    “Here, with all-time popular home essentials and seasonal selections of products for every room of the house available under one roof, we are certain that sprucing up the home will be less stressful and hassle-free,” he said.

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    “Think of it as a pit-stop whenever you are preparing for a party, breathing new life into your home interiors, or pursuing your hobbies.”

    Spotlight Malaysia 5- 315.Spotlight Malaysia 1 - 315.

    Spotlight is targeting home decorators, dressmakers, hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts as well as party organisers.

  • Lend Lease to partner in $2bn Malaysia project

    Lend Lease to partner in $2bn Malaysia project

    Australia’s Lend Lease has signed up to develop a new retail and residential development in Malaysia.

    Lend Lease will have a 60 per cent stake in The Lifestyle Quarter with local developer 1MDB Real Estate the balance.

    1MDB is the master developer for an upcoming international financial district called Tun Razak Exchange. The Lifestyle Quarter will be a retail‐led, mixed‐use development of over 17 acres comprising a new retail mall, several residential towers and a hotel connected to a multilayer central park and the largest MRT station in Kuala Lumpur. When completed it will have a Gross Development Value estimated at MYR 8 billion (US$2.156 billion).

    The two companies signed a Master Framework Agreement last October, and late last week signed a formal JV agreement in the presence of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

    Lend Lease Asia CEO Rod Leaver, said the two companies will transform TRX into “an iconic destination”.

    “With our global track record in large scale urban regeneration in partnership with national and city governments, coupled with  our over 35 year history in Malaysia, we are confident of making the TRX Lifestyle Quarter an outstanding success with our partner.”

    TRX aims to become a global hub for international finance and business.

    Lend Lease has a growing portfolio of property interests in Malaysia, the most recent being Setia City Mall.

    The company was selected from a pool of international and local bidders to partner with 1MDB RE in the Lifestyle Quarter development following an invitation to participate as a strategic development partner.

    The Lifestyle Quarter will form the social heart of the TRX precinct. It aims to offer a series of modern lifestyle experiences and set new benchmarks not only in terms of design, but for the types of retailers, dining establishments, outdoor spaces, leisure activities and entertainment options it provides.

    TRX will be one of the largest developments in Lend Lease’s current portfolio of global projects.

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  • FashionValet seals cash injection

    FashionValet seals cash injection

    A Malaysia online fashion destination started by a local married couple has attracted serious capital investment led by US private equity investor Elixir Capital.

    While the exact amount of the investment has not been disclosed by either party, the multimillion dollar injection will allow FashionValet to accelerate the expansion of its online reach through mobile e-commerce, big data strategies and original customer-centric content and to scale its operations into other Asian cities.

    Elixir Capital is a global private equity firm based in Silicon Valley, California.

    “The investment from Elixir Capital marks a significant step for FashionValet as we continue to really develop the brand beyond Malaysia and pave the way for retail e-commerce locally,” said the FashionValet’s co-Founder and CEO, Fadzarudin Anuar.

    “We’ve seen substantial e-commerce growth already, yet there’s room for much more in Malaysia, where there’s less than one percent penetration of sales online, as compared to 10 per cent in China, US and Western Europe, and we want to continue to foster this trend as one of the pioneering brands in the industry.”

    FashionValet tripled its revenue in 2014 on the way to becoming a leader in Malaysia’s online fashion sector. The company has managed to do this while keeping operations lean and reactive to community demand.

    “We were approached to be funded by several other companies, but Elixir Capital shared the same vision we had to grow FashionValet into a multi-million dollar company that champions local designers in Asia – which is what really convinced us to work with them,” added Vivy Yusof, co-Founder and chief creative officer of FashionValet.

    “FashionValet now forms the Southeast Asian centerpiece for Elixir’s multi-market investment platform in digital commerce, with accelerated enterprise growth and regional expansion serving as our investment thesis,” said Arshad Ahmed, MD of Elixir Capital.

    “FashionValet has the makings potentially of a homegrown Malaysian IPO in retail e-commerce.”

    FashionValet’s founders say they want to use the capital to better serve their customers and suppliers alike, and to improve the customer experience and product offering.

    FashionValet offers a wide selection of ready-to-wear garments, including Muslimah attire, with customers throughout Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. It stocks homegrown brands and designer products, serving as an outlet for up-and-coming designers across Asia.