With captivating locales, cultural heritage, delectable cuisine and shopping extravaganza, Malaysia is one of the south-east Asian countries having diversity in culture and prosperity in its economy. Its booming infrastructure and economy, and the biggest manufacturer and refiners of crude palm oil consumed in the edible oil industry, Malaysia is an experience in itself.
In the true sense of the word ‘shopaholic’, the country gives the shoppers a taste of everything in the one-stop-shop in multi-storeyed malls or at side-walk stalls or night bazaars. Unique for the local handicrafts and batik, there is no dearth of shopping in Malaysia. An interesting mix of duty-free shops can also be found at city centres and airports in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang. Malaysia is one country in south-east Asia which has a well-developed retail market, capable of facing the intense competition in the global markets.
Interestingly, Malaysia Ringgit exchange is comparatively lower, thus a tourist’s dollar can be stretched much further. The exemption of duty on certain items has also resulted in more competitive pricing and made shopping in Malaysia an event.
Mega sale carnival
The best of the Malaysian shopping is round the corner. The celebration and mood in Malaysia is already jiving. The stage has been set for the tourists to get the maximum out of the Mega Sale Carnival scheduled from June 16 till September 2 at Kuala Lumpur and other major Malaysian cities. Be prepared for an exotic and exuberant shopping spree that Malaysia promises to deliver third time since 1990. The mega sale carnival would tempt you with its astonishing prices. It is bound to mesmerise you with its discounts and yet if you want a lower price then the markets in the night are ideal, but for that you need to be a good bargainer.
It is the best time to pick up great bargains. Get ready for the surprisingly low prices on high quality products during the sale season. During this period, apart from discounts being offered in the malls, the same are offered in transportation, rental car agencies, hotels and restaurants.
The official mega sale carnival period is the time when shoppers get high and the prices are low. This year is the Visit Malaysia Year and it promises to provide you with its exotic locales clubbed with the multi cuisine and mind blowing shopping deals. Among the top in the shopping list of the shoppers are pewter, batik, duty free items, electrical items, sportswear and handicrafts.
Shopping malls
Malaysian malls offer much more than just movie halls, eating outlets and shopping. They have ice-skating rinks, bowling alleys and indoor theme parks.
Kuala Lumpur:
Ampang Park: This is on the northern outskirts of the Golden Triangle and has clothes and jewellery shops, and money changers offering very competitive rates. It's linked by a pedestrian bridge to the upmarket City Square shopping complex at Jalan Tun Razak, which has interesting interior-design stores and art galleries. It also has shops dealing in electrical and electronic equipments.
Berjaya Times Square KL: The building contains a huge shopping centre and two five star hotels. It is known as the "world’s largest building ever built in a single phase", with 75 lakh sq.ft of built-up floor area. In April 2005, Borders Group opened its first franchise store here. Currently, the store is the largest Borders store in the world. Other popular stores include Metrojaya, which is a multi-level major department store, and many more.
Bukit Bintang Plaza: More commonly referred to as BB Plaza it is a popular shopping centre situated in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur. Its major and only tenant is Metrojaya, which is located on three of its floors. This Metrojaya offers items from a moderate-to-high price. This mall is well known for its many shops selling items such as clothes, watches and more.
Mid Valley Megamall: This is a 45 lakh sq.ft complex comprising of a shopping mall, an office tower block, 30 signature offices and 2 hotels. It has about 430 shops on five and a half floors. It has five anchor tenants including Carrefour, Jusco, Golden Screen Cinemas, Metrojaya and Harvey Norman. It also houses an 18 screen Cinema. Then there is a state-of-the-art bowling centre, a One-Stop IT Centre, two mega food courts and also a mega bookstore called MPH. It houses a 48,300 sq.ft convention centre and it is situated adjacent to a 646 room business hotel named Cititel and 30 units of exclusive 11 storey signature offices. A second hotel, Boulevard, opened in mid 2005. It has 390 rooms. Mega Mall is a key part of Mid Valley City, one of the country's largest urban development projects. It was awarded the Best Shopping Complex Award 2000 by Tourism Malaysia and Best Retail Development Award 2001 by FIABCI Malaysia. It has become one of Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations.
Penang:
Gurney Plaza: Touted as Penang's premier lifestyle mall, is a shopping mall located at the famed Gurney Drive promenade in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is the second largest shopping mall in Penang after Queensbay Mall and by far the most classy. Gurney Plaza houses the biggest cineplex in Malaysia's northern region, the 12-screen Golden Screen Cinemas equipped with THX-certified auditoriums.
Queensbay Mall: It is in the heart of the Queensbay development, formerly known as Bayan Bay before it was abandoned during the East Asian financial crisis. At that time, the mall was referred to as Bayan World Megamall. At present, it is the largest shopping mall in the northern region of Malaysia. It is currently the largest shopping mall in Penang superseding Gurney Plaza. Queensbay Mall is a real shoppers' paradise - with 5 levels of retail and 8 levels of parking, JUSCO as its anchor tenant, 17 junior anchors and more than 500 retail merchants. Besides a well-planned tenant mix, shoppers will enjoy the "low rise walk-through" layout which stretches as far as half-a-kilometer with excellent visibility of the shop facade and merchandising displays. All facilities and amenities signages are meticulously planned to enhance the convenience and comfort of the shoppers. The overall interior design and lightings are aimed to create a conducive and safe shopping environment for the whole family. Added to the attractions is the integrated entertainment zone on the third floor that provides a wide range of entertainment and leisure attractions ranging from multiplex to roller skating.
Selangor: 1 Utama, also unofficially known as One Utama, is a popular shopping mall in Bandar Utama, a suburb of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, and it is one of the top shopping centres in Malaysia. Its tenants include the supermarkets Jaya Jusco and Giant and other outlets including, MPH, fcuk, DKNY, Toys 'R' Us, Jaya Jusco Departmental Store, U-Parkson, Laura Ashley, Miss Selfridge, Chanel, Bose, Kodak, Pierre Cardin and M&S. There are restaurants including: A&W, Burger King, KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's, Starbucks, Nando's and Shakey's Pizza. 1 Utama was also the first shopping complex in Malaysia to house two major cinemas — Tanjong Golden Village and Golden Screen Cinemas — and comprises of 20 screens.
Klang Parade: It is one of the major shopping complexes in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia and has Parkson Grand departmental store and Giant Hypermarket as its anchor tenants. Popularly known as KP, the shopping mall is strategically located in the heart of a residential area of Klang as well as an industrial zone of Meru. The mall comprises of 132 retail outlets and caters to the middle income group and family shoppers and offers the most popular regional and local brands. There is a wide range of shops retailing fashion, gift, souvenirs, timepieces, household goods and furnishing products.
Anchor tenants include Parkson Grand and Giant Hypermarket. Mini anchors making their debut in Klang Parade consist of Reject Shop, Digital World, SenQ Mega Electrical Store and Hot Market.
There are also karaoke outlet, bowling alley and food court located at the second floor.
Sepang Institute of Technology (SIT International College), a tertiary academic centre specifically catered for students was established on the top floor.
Shopping Street
Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and you can shop from the bukit bintang area, which is bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Imbi.
Other popular areas are Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Petalling Street, and Jalan H.S. Lee. Kuala Lumpur is the commercial centre of the country and has famous landmarks, historical monuments and a night life that keeps the tourist buzzing with activity day and night.
Handicrafts are found in intricate silver, brass and pewter items to pottery, rattan and wickwork. Batiks are made up of silk and cotton in vivid and beautiful hues and shades.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman: China Arts and piping lace are a must for lovers of antiques and curios. There is an irresistible collection of fine embroidered bed and table linen, carved rosewood furniture, chests and cabinets, Chinese ceramics, jade and ivory carvings. Oriental carpets can be found here as well. (Jalan???) masjid India is parallel to this area and one can find ethnic goods of India like sarees, sarongs and textiles.
Petalling Street and Jalan Bandar: These are the hubs of kuala lumpur’s bustling Chinatown. Various textiles, clothes, shoes and handbags can be purchased at bargain prices. Nepalese traders offer exotic ethnic jewellery, wall hangings, ornaments, curios and teapots. This street becomes jam packed in the late evenings and it is the right place to test and sharpen your bargaining skills.
Penang:
The pearl of the orient has always been called as an Asian attraction for heritage enthusiasts and beach lovers.
Penang Road/ Bishop Street: Made in China linen, cotton and organza hand towels, tablecloth and pillowcases can be bought from the little shops on these streets. Leather and velvet house slippers embroidered in red, blue or green threads and multi-coloured beads are also a worth buying.
Little India: Here you can buy a saree or a Kashmiri woolen shawl or Bangalore silk and cotton in bright hues.
Campbell Street: Rows of pre-war shops in this region offers a wide variety of fabrics. Chinese raw silk is also in plenty in pastel shades. Gold jewellery ranging from slim anklets and to the chunky items are also found here.
Pulau tikus: Shopping malls in this area offer products ranging from original video compact discs, toiletries and bargain books, to the up market jewellery outlets and classy show stores where trendy items like white gold diamonds can be found at affordable prices.
Retailing trends & consumer behaviour
With more foreign players entering the Malaysian market, the retail scenario is geared up for the intense competition that local retailers have to face from big retailers. As a result of the big players coming, the local retailers are focusing on retail technology, better consumer behaviour and improved efficiency. Still with the rapid expansion of major players like Giant, tesco, carrefour, ikea and courts mammoth, the market seems to be by and large dominated by them in couple of years.
With majority of young population in Malaysia, the local retailers have been offering interest-free instalment plans for expensive purchases that give a boost to the retail industry.
Malaysia is one of those places to shop where you can buy the local handicrafts and one can get the designer labels as well. Tourists have lot many options to shop, be it either from the multi-storeyed malls or the night markets, Malaysia caters to every taste and budget. Malaysia as rightly said is ‘Truly Asia’.
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