Retailer picks Ipoh for its first concept store

iplaeon080916 2...Ipoh folk exploring the new brands available to them at the newly opened Aeon Ipoh Falim on opening day on Sept 8.

THE WAIT is over, Aeon Co (M) Bhd's new concept store geared towards young shoppers has opened its doors.

Aeon Ipoh Falim becomes the company's the first in the country to feature a contemporary mix of mostly Japanese fashion, home and lifestyle concepts. It is also the first Aeon store without a supermarket section.

Aeon Co executive director Poh Ying Loo said the store – Aeon's fourth in the city and sixth in the state – offers unique merchandise not available at other general retailers in the city.

“In fact, some of the items here are better than what we see in Kuala Lumpur. We’ve brought in a lot of Japanese and South Korean merchandise that is here for the first time, such as the popular Anello bags,” Poh said after the store’s official opening recently.

Besides Anello, the store also carries fashion accessories from Osewaya, ladies shoes from popular Japanese brands such as Feminine Café; stylish sneakers by designer Takashi Imai; Japanese denim from Bobson; Japanese interior furnishing and bedding from Zakka; and a range of Japanese bicycles, aside from a wider range of merchandise from TOPVALU – Aeon's flagship private brand.

“Why Ipoh you ask? If you look at it, a lot of Ipoh folk also shop for things in Kuala Lumpur and online. This store provides a convenient opportunity for shoppers in Ipoh, and even Perak, in that they don't have to travel far for such concept items anymore,” said Poh.

The new concept and layout at Aeon Ipoh Falim, according to Poh, will be rolled out in future Aeon stores and even to some existing stores in time to come.

“We are confident of success here. This concept may also prove to be a challenge to online retailers. We have a slight advantage over online retailers because here, shoppers get to feel and touch the merchandise before buying,” he added.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Aeon Co Executive Director Hiroyuki Kotera and Aeon Big (M) Sdn Bhd Managing Director Mitsuru Nakata.

Excited shoppers arrived as early as 7.30am, anxious to get their hands on the free RM50 shopping vouchers given out to the first 1,000 customers of the day.

This was followed by a 24-drum performance by students of SM Yuk Choy before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.