Be innovative and adjust to stay competitive, mall operators told

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Chong signs a plaque during the launch of the event.

BINTULU: Mall operators need to be innovative and make adjustments in order to remain competitive, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen.

“This year is a very challenging year especially for mall operators, hypermarkets and supermarkets due to the change of consumer pattern, from patronising hypermarkets and supermarkets to mini-markets.

“Although there is a shift in consumer behaviour, I believe with certain innovations and adjustments made by mall operators, their business can continue to grow,” he said when officiating at the presentation of Selected Trade Zone (ZPT) recognition certificates to six malls in the state, at Times Square Megamall Bintulu yesterday.

According to Chong, statistics have shown a drop in business for hypermarkets whilst mini-markets have experienced increased volume of trade.

However, he said even though people are changing their pattern of shopping, the Malaysia economy as a whole is still very strong and resilient.

Chong (fourth left) presents the ZPT certificate to a representative of Times Square Megamall Bintulu, witnessed by others.

He said this was reflected by the country’s economy expanding 4.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year which then increased to 4.9 per cent in the second quarter – becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to record increasing GDP for the last two quarters.

Chong went on to say that despite the trade war between China and the United States coupled with a very pessimistic outlook of the economy by economists and analysts, Malaysia is doing very well with a very strong internal demand for its consumer goods.

On the event, the deputy minister hoped the ZPT recipients would be able to gain the confidence of their consumers with the recognition.

The six malls which received the ZPT recognition are Times Square Megamall Bintulu, Boulevard Shopping Mall in Kuching, Plaza Simanggang in Sri Aman, Bintang Megamall in Miri, Permaisuri Imperial City Mall in Miri, and Li Hua Plaza in Bintulu.

ZPT is a rating system created by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to recognise businesses that operate in an ethical manner, in line with the government’s ambition to make the country into a tourism destination and shopping haven.