In collaboration with Convergence, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in Convergence Volume 30 in 2015, we present this story on how Mitsui Outlet Park made waves when it arrived in Southeast Asia, making its home in Malaysia.
The long-awaited Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang (MOP) has finally opened its doors, making its debut in Southeast Asia. It is the first full-scale factory outlet in Kuala Lumpur that fully specialises in putting together leading brands and big discounts. Mitsui Fudosan and Malaysia Airports, the joint venture partners, have come together to present a much anticipated expansion to KLIA’s Airport City.
A Shopping Paradise
Sacoor Brothers, Converse, Hackett London, Aigner, Adidas, Bonia, Puma, Timberland, Clarks, Samsonite, Guess, Hush Puppies… these are just some among the dozens of international brands that can be found in MOP. The new mall recently opened its gates, inviting those looking for an extensive choice of products at a good price.
The new complex is a first full-scale outlet mall built in Kuala Lumpur, and according to the concept of factory outlet, it specialises in leading brands while giving discounts ranging from 30 to 70%. With its wide range and attractive offers, shoppers can choose from fashion apparel and accessories to perfumes and cosmetics, chocolates and confectionery, kids fashion, sportswear, luggage and household items to name a few.
If this is not enough, the mall also comes with a Japanese specialty store named Japan Avenue, a distinctive area aiming to promote Japanese art, culture, music and culinary products. And even with this bonus, the gastronomic offer within the mall doesn’t limit itself to sushi and ramen, as it also covers authentic Malay, Korean, Thai and Western restaurants, as well as cafes.
Embodying the local surroundings, MOP has adopted the design concept of ‘Paradise Village’, to bring its shopper close to nature, evoking a
tropical ambience with greenery, open spaces and natural-light skylights. The factory outlet shopping mall is divided into four distinct architectural areas which feature pleasant atmospheres. Sunshine Square is where the luxury brands are located and features a stylish skylight. At the Pier Walk customers will find themselves on an esplanade dotted with the most chic outlets in the mall. And within the
Tropical Plaza and the Beach Walk, visitors will be treated to a relaxing organic architectural ambience.
This big appeal is enhanced by its privileged location, being 60km from Kuala Lumpur city centre, and only 6km from KLIA and klia2. MOP targets around 9 million local people living in the surrounding areas, as well as over 48 million travellers passing through KLIA, Asia’s 10th and the world’s 20th busiest airport, as rated by Airports Council International (ACI) for 2014.
“Malaysia has an enormous market potential and an impressive record of global recognition. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is globally considered a shoppers’ heaven.”
Takehito Fukui, Managing Director of MFMA Development
In order to best help its visitors, the complex is fully equipped with a wide range of facilities that look after customers and travellers. For the latter, there is a Flight Information Display System (FIDS), a flight check-in kiosk and free baggage storage services. Additionally, there are many other general facilities, such as banking, ticket counters for buses, taxis and rental cars, handicap facilities, baby nursing and changing rooms, and 2,000 parking lots. And when it comes to transportation, the mall has an entrance directly accessible from the
highway, a free shuttle to KLIA and klia2 airports and bus service facilities to major areas such as KL Sentral and Klang.
All these services aim to make MOP “a destination hub in its own right, where customers can shop, dine and unwind with loved ones,” as explained by Mr Takehito Fukui, Managing Director of MFMA Development, the joint venture created in August 2013 by Mitsui Fudosan and Malaysia Airports. “Conventional shopping malls are available throughout the country, but being a factory outlet, the MOP offers a big variety of products at discounted prices throughout the year,” he said. “Intertwining brands and products with a relaxing ambiance, as well as keeping convenience and comfort, will definitely redefine the shopping experience of all our customers,” he added.
A Strategic Union
MOP has been possible because of the successful synergy between two outstanding partners: Malaysia Airports, a widely recognised company managing one of the busiest and most modern airports in the world, and Mitsui Fudosan Group, a renowned real-estate giant.
For Malaysia Airports, MOP is part of its KLIA Aeropolis Project. This ambitious strategy aims to transform KLIA into an ‘airport city’, a new
urban concept to make the most of economic activities usually generated around airports in order to develop the adjacent surroundings. “The venture is a mega development project to be conducted within the 10km by 10km radius of KLIA in the next five years,” said Malaysia
Airports’ Senior General Manager for Planning, Mohd Khair Mirza.
This strategy includes a future cargo and logistics hub, a free commercial business district, a theme park, convention and exhibition
centres, hotels and even natural conservation and green tourism zones. In order to boost the project, 2014’s Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition (ACE), where international airport companies and developers discussed the concept of ‘airport city’ took place in Malaysia, in the city of Kuala Lumpur.
For the Mitsui Fudosan Group, Malaysia Airports is a good match for their strong overseas strategy. Already a colossal entity in Japan, Mitsui has 340 years of expertise, with 13 outlet malls in its home country, one in China, one under construction in Taiwan, and several real-estate projects here in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and China. Within its long-term strategy, called ‘Innovation 2017’, the company aims to invest ¥500 billion (around RM15 billion) in projects around Europe, USA and Asia. MOP represents the flagship of this investment, and according to Fukui “it is the first major joint venture shopping mall project in Southeast Asia.”
“Factory outlet business concepts are emerging all over the world and it is always deemed as a tourist destination for a country,” stated
Fukui. “Malaysia has enormous market potential and an impressive record of global recognition, and together with Kuala Lumpur, the
country is considered globally as a shoppers’ haven. The factory outlet concept will further strengthen and provide a larger spectrum of choices for locals as well as foreigners alike,” he added.
Furthermore, and in order to improve its logistical potential, KLIA recently embraced the concept of ‘Next Generation Hub’, an initiative to become a global integrated node between full service and low cost carriers. Here, klia2 terminal, which celebrated its 1st anniversary last May, plays a very important role with its entire focus on low cost airlines.
It is natural for the Japanese firm to partner with KLIA, an airport standing not only for its traffic or its infrastructure, but for having been widely awarded by multiple achievements, from the Best Airport of the Year to the Best Airport Staff in Asia and Best Immigration Service Worldwide.
“Malaysia provides a lucrative market and Malaysia Airports has been supportive in terms of facilitating and communicating with local authorities as well as providing market intelligence on local expectations” stated Fukui. “While Mitsui Fudosan fuels MOP with global operational expertise, Malaysia Airports is the backbone that facilitates local needs. Together, we intend to redefine the factory outlet shopping mall business in Malaysia.”
A Retail Pit-Stop
Forecasts on incoming tourists and travellers (thus potential clients for the mall) looks promising, especially since Malaysia has been considered as one of the world’s 12 best shopping cities by CNN and one of the best destinations to travel to by Lonely Planet in 2014.
features a sophisticated overhead skylight.
In addition to this, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has rated Malaysia as the 3rd most visited country in Asia and the Pacific Region in 2013, with a growing number of 25.7 million visitors. The same organisation registered a rise in international tourist arrivals within the same world region of 7% in 2014, and a similar performance is expected for the coming years thanks to new flight connections, infrastructure projects and promotional activities about to happen.
“All these encouraging factors augurs well for MOP”, said Fukui. “The project development is well on trajectory to positioning the mall as a lifestyle destination hub.
With all these expectations, MOP is projected to become even bigger within the next six years. Still under its Phase 1 of development, two subsequent stages are yet to come in order to double both its space and its shopping offer.
Following a soft launch in May this year, outlets will open progressively until 100% occupancy is achieved in July 2015. “Development in Phase 2 and Phase 3 will take place in 2018 and 2021 respectively, thus increasing commercial space to 44,000 sq m, while housing approximately 250 outlets by Phase 3,” stated Fukui. When it happens, the mall will potentially be “the largest factory outlet in all of Southeast Asia.”
With all the necessary qualities to fulfil the visions of its two developers, enjoying an enviable location and offering a wide range of international luxury brands, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang, which will celebrate its official launch at the end of July 2015, will definitely be one of the main destinations in Asia for those who love outlet shopping. Now that it is finally open, it is time to enjoy its pleasantly designed corridors, and offerings. No matter if you are a relaxed customer with plenty of time to spend, or you are just passing through heading to another destination, this mall is sure to captivate you.
