Mitsui Fudosan has opened a Japanese lifestyle shopping mall LaLaport in Kuala Lumpur, its second overseas outlet after Lalaport Shanghai Jinqiao in China. The mall is expected to bring in more Japanese retailers into the market, as the outlet, known as Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre (LaLaport BBCC), will provide about 400 stores opening across an 82,600m2 floor area.
The mall will house well-known Japanese brands such as:
- Nojima: Nojima is opening its flagship store in LaLaport BBCC, spanning 26,461 square feet area on the third floor. The store features a comprehensive range of top-quality brands in electrical appliances, IT gadgets, and furniture and bedding products. This opening marked its first foray into the country. Nojima Corporation is also the holding company of COURTS Asia Limited, with COURTS (M) Sdn Bhd as a subsidiary.
- Nitori: Nitori LaLaport BBCC will be the first Nitori outlet in Southeast Asia, to be followed by the second one in Singapore in March. The furniture and interior specialty company is also planning a third outlet in Subang, Selangor, Malaysia this year.
- Jonetz by Don Don Donki: A popular discount chain store selling a variety of imported yet affordable Japanese products, including a food court, and a Halal section. Operated by Pan Pacific Retail Management Malaysia, the company plans to have a total of 11 stores in Malaysia by 2024.
- Star Child: This is a nursery that incorporates Japanese-style childcare and education, will also open for the first time in Malaysia in the mall.
Besides Japanese brands, popular establishments from Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and other countries will also be found in the mall to enrich its customers’ visit.
Aside from LaLaport BBCC, there are also other Japanese franchise groups entering Malaysia. One of them is Culture Convenience Club Co. Ltd (CCC), which operates Tsutaya Books in Japan and the Tsutaya Bookstore (TBS) franchise chain. CCC has established a joint venture company with Sojitz Corporation, and the entity has concluded a franchise agreement with a local franchise partner in Malaysia to open Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Books within the first half of 2022 in the newly opened Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. The outlet will be the first Tsutaya Books location in ASEAN.
(Sources: Salam Groovy Japan; The Star; Sojitz Corporation)
