Jamil showcasing products from AEON Supermarket’s local product section to a customer. — photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING: AEON CO (M) Bhd (AEON) has finally opened the doors of its first mall in East Malaysia – AEON Kuching Central – to the public yesterday.
Spanning over 1.6 million square feet of gross built up area, AEON Kuching Central is designed to provide ample space for maximum shopping satisfaction to shoppers during their visit to the new mall while providing them the convenience of having access to a variety of products and facilities under one roof.
Speaking in a statement, AEON’s managing director Shinobu Washizawa said: “We are excited to finally cement our presence in East Malaysia.
“Our latest mall in Kuching will bring forth a completely new shopping experience not only for the Kuching community, but also for our East Malaysian friends in general.
“With three floors boosting different attractions, AEON MALL Kuching Central is dedicated to being a one-stop destination to help shoppers find excitement in our mall offering from grocery to fashion, lifestyle, food and beverage, and more.”
Besides the extensive range of products, AEON Kuching Central will also be bringing price competitive products such as groceries, apparel, household furnishing and appliances, to their consumers through AEON’s flagship private brand – Topvalu.
While Topvalu’s product range would be offer consumer great value for money, Dato’ Sri Jamil Salleh, secretary general of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism believes that AEON’s entrance to the local market would be more of a benefit to local SME manufacturer’s in the long run.
“Local SMEs will fare well because the AEON supermarket has a section that houses a variety of local Sarawakian products from local entrepreneurs.
“With stock keeping units (SKUs) of over 120, this is a good opportunity for the business folk of the state,” he said to The Borneo Post during the opening of the mall.
Adding to that, Jamil also said he was hopeful that AEON’s first step into Sarawak would act as a catalyst for other globally recognised brands and corporations to venture into the State and help drive the local economy.
The opening of AEON Kuching Central was officiated Jamil; AEON chairman Datuk lskandar Sarudin, Washizawa; AEON executive directors Poh Ying Loo and Hiroyuki Kotera as well as representatives from the local community.
At the official launch of AEON Kuching Central, the Malaysian AEON Foundation made a contribution of RM 30,000 each to four charity homes; Lembaga Kebajikan Anak-AnakYatim, The Sarawak Cheshire Homes, Pertubuhan Kebajikan & Pendidikan Nur Murni and Rumah Seri Kenangan Kuching.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the local authorities and communities who have been very supportive throughout the pre-planning and construction phase of AEON MALL Kuching Central. At AEON, we are always mindful of our Basic Philosophy, which always emphasizes on Peace, People and Community,” said Washizawa.
With the launch of AEON Kuching Central, AEON now has a total of 27 AEON Malls and 35 AEON Stores nationwide.