Retail News CRM

Tag: QL Resources

  • FamilyMart Malaysia to open 300 more stores by 2022

    FamilyMart Malaysia to open 300 more stores by 2022

    QL Resources, the Malaysian operator of Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart, is going ahead with plans to open 300 stores by March 2022, despite a slump in the economy. The firm opened 30 FamilyMart Malaysia outlets within the last financial year and plans to reach 90 new stores for the year ending March 31, 2019.

    “We still stick to our plan to open 300 stores in five years”, said QL chairman Chia Song Kun.

    Market leadership in the territory is currently controlled by 7-Eleven Malaysia, which operates more than 2000 stores in Malaysia. A major shareholder in the firm recently announced plans to open another 200 outlets this year.

    Malaysian spending is increasingly focused on domestic trade as exports continue to be affected by the US-China trade war.

    Lees ook:

  • Expansion plan for FamilyMart Malaysia

    Expansion plan for FamilyMart Malaysia

    Convenience store chain FamilyMart Malaysia is aiming to open up to 1000 stores by 2020.

    Out of Japan, the group is using a franchise business model in its newest market in partnership with agro-food company QL Resources, with which it has signed a 20-year agreement. As master franchisee, QL plans to have four stores open by year-end.

    “The offer of fresh food is our main differentiation,” says QL executive director Chia Li Khai. Its first FamilyMart launched in Wisma Lim Foo Yong in Kuala Lumpur through its wholly owned subsidiary Maxincome Resources, with a second just opened in the Mid Valley Megamall south of Kuala Lumpur.

    These will be followed this month by stores at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) station of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT line and KLIA2.

    It is setting itself apart from competitors with its “konbini” convenience-store concept from Japan. Of the nearly 2000 items on sale in each store, about 5 per cent are developed by the company using ingredients sourced by QL.
    Health, beauty and personal-care products are part of konbini offerings.

    Malaysia’s stores will have a counter offering oden steamed fishcakes served on a stick in broth. Other hot snacks available include fried karaage chicken, frankfurters and bento lunchboxes, as well as onigiri rice balls in seaweed plus puddings, mousses and ice cream.

    Its ready-to-eat food range also includes Malay favourites such as nasi biryani and mee siam, plus salads and sandwiches and fresh coffee.

    “Partnering with QL in developing halal products will be our biggest advantage,” says FamilyMart president Takashi Sawada.

    He says the group is constantly studying emerging markets in the region, including Cambodia and Myanmar. The chain also has a presence in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

    “We want to learn from Japan by offering amenities such as recycle bins and toilets equipped with bidet,” says Chia, who is the son of QL founder and group MD Chia Song Kun.

    Malaysia’s outlets will also offer courier services and bill-payment services, says Chia, noting the group has earmarked up to 20 million ringgit (US$4.5 million) annually for store expansion.

    Competitor 7-Eleven has about 2000 outlets in Malaysia, adding 113 this year.

    Lees ook:

  • FamilyMart Malaysia rollout confirmed

    FamilyMart Malaysia rollout confirmed

    QL Resources, which produces chicken eggs and seafood surimi, is set to launch a MalaysiaFamilyMart network.

    The company says it plans to open 300 outlets within five years, with the first to be up and running by the end of this year. That will trigger a battle with fellow Japanese convenience store chain 7-Eleven and local startup Bison Incorporated which plans to use the funds from an upcoming IPO to open 150 new stores by 2017.

    QL Resources says its wholly owned subsidiary Maxincome Resources has signed the area master franchise agreement for the development and running of FamilyMart convenience stores in Malaysia. The 20-year agreement is renewable for subsequent periods of 20 years, each at Maxincome’s option, and becomes conditional once the company has registered as a franchisee with Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism.

    FamilyMart sees the move into Malaysia as an “exciting opportunity” given the country’s growing economy and consumer spending.

    Both parties seem to agree the launch will have a long gestation period, understandable given the current state of the convenience store industry in Malaysia.

    7-Eleven Malaysia dominates the market, with a share of around 82 per cent, through  more than 1900 stores nationwide and with an expansion rate of about 200 annually at present..

    Smaller rival Bison has about 240 newsstands and convenience stores under its brands, which include myNews, Newsplus, MagBit and The Front Page. It also runs WHSmith outlets in Malaysia, in a joint venture with UK’s WH Smith Plc.

    QL Resources says the launch of FamilyMart will open up bigger growth opportunities in the consumer market for the whole group. “It fits into our strategy of strengthening and expanding integration of the group’s value chain.”

    It cites such favourable factors as Malaysia’s increasing urbanisation and per-capita consumption, young population demographic, and a growing trend of proximity and convenience retail.

    Globally, FamilyMart had 17,540 stores in seven countries as at March 31, and is known for its range of ready-to-eat food and beverage offerings as well as convenience items.

    “FamilyMart’s philosophy and values resonate with QL Resources’ mission of providing nourishing agro-based products,” QL Resources says in a statement. “Their emphasis of delivering quality food is also a value that QL Resources, as a food company, values and sees synergy in.”

    Lees ook: