HYPERMARKETS in Malaysia

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Malaysia limits foreign hypermart licences to 107
By Vasantha GanesanPublished: 2009/05/04



The government has capped the number of foreign hypermarket licences at 107 until the end of this year, to address the issue of unused licences.

To date, of the 107 licences given to foreign hypermarket operators, only 78 stores are operational.

The remaining store openings have not happened due to reasons ranging from land issues, developers unable to carry out project to hypermarkets unable to get state consent.

To help clear the unused licences, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom said it is willing to swap old or non-operating hypermarket licences for new ones.

"We want to clear the unused licences first. One hundred and seven is the benchmark that we are keeping for this year," he told Business Times.





The ministry is now undertaking a study and drawing out a five-year plan on what should be done beyond 2009.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry regulates the opening of foreign-owned hypermarkets. Local hypermarket operators such as Mydin, Econsave, Pacific and Sunshine are free to open without adhering to restrictions imposed on the foreign players such as Giant, Carrefour and Tesco.

Mohd Zain said for example, should a hypermarket operator surrender three of its licences, then it can apply for three openings at three other locations.

However, the new approvals will be subject to the usual criteria for foreign hypermarket openings.

Current guidelines state that only one hypermarket can open for every 350,000 population, which means only 75 hypermarket licences should have been given out in the first place.

However, with the 107 licence issues, the ratio is now around 243,000 based on a 26 million population.

The current guidelines, which are being reviewed, may look at revoking approved licences should the hypermarkets take too long to start operations.

"It would be reasonable to give two years from when we give the green light to get the building up and start operations," he said.

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Tesco siasat harga barang berbeza





PUTRAJAYA: Harga barang dan produk di semua pasar raya Tesco seluruh negara adalah sama memandangkan ia sudah diselaraskan mengikut harga yang ditetapkan kerana dibeli secara pukal daripada pembekal.

Pengurus Perhubungan Awam Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Tesco), Dazrene Azmil Darus berkata, masalah perbezaan harga di pasar raya Tesco tidak ditimbul kerana ia sudah ditetapkan ibu pejabat.

“Harga di semua pasar raya kami sama ada di utara, selatan, timur atau barat adalah sama, malah kami turut mengadakan promosi secara serentak di semua cawangan pasar raya besar kami dengan menawarkan harga yang sama bagi setiap produk dan barangan.

“Jadi, tidak mungkin harga di Tesco Kelantan dan Tesco Kuala Lumpur berbeza. Bagaimanapun kita akan menyiasat dakwaan ini kerana kemungkinan terdapat kesilapan yang tidak disedari,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas aduan daripada member iMetro, Awira (IMA54567) semalam yang mendakwa harga barangan di Tesco Kelantan lebih mahal berbanding Tesco Kuala Lumpur.

Di samping itu, Dazrene berkata pengadu juga boleh mengemukakan aduan menerusi laman web di www.tesco.com.my atau berhubung dengan pusat khidmat pelanggan di mana-mana cawangan pasar raya besar Tesco terdekat.

“Pengadu perlu mengemukakan bukti dan maklumat pengadu untuk mengesahkan aduan yang diberikan,” katanya.

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Perak mulls over plan to restrict hypermarkets


IPOH: The Perak Government is mulling over a plan to restrict the number of hypermarkets to give local sundry shops a fighting chance to survive.

State executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said one way was to impose conditions on new hypermarkets such as fixing a percentage of Malaysian workers.

He said that a group of sundry shop operators met him recently to voice concerns that more stores were dying out and closing down, especially during the economic downturn.

Dr Mah, whose portfolio includes Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Trans- portation and Non-Islamic Affairs, said there had been reports that a certain hypermarket planned to open small branches at shoplots.

“So I think we need to look into the possibility of imposing conditions on these hypermarket operators.

“At the same time, we want to make it easier for the people to buy goods at cheaper prices at hypermarkets and supermarkets while protecting sundry store owners,” he said.

Dr Mah said that the state government did want a situation like in Hong Kong where sundry shops did not exist any more and everything was in the hands of big hypermarkets.

Speaking to reporters at the annual general meeting of the United Youth Movement of Malaysia’s Kinta district branch here yesterday, Dr Mah called for feedback and suggestions before proposing the restrictions.

On another matter, Dr Mah expects a low-cost carrier to start operating flights between the Sultan Azlan Shah airport and Singapore in late June or early July.

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Giant sells 250,000 chickens after capping price


PETALING JAYA: The Giant chain of hypermarkets have sold more than 250,000 chickens in the past week since capping its price at RM4.89 a kilo under a price stabilisation fund.

GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd marketing director Ho Mun Hao said the chain had set aside RM5mil under the fund to subsidise the price of chickens at its stores nationwide.

The subsidised price was launched on May 8 and would be kept at RM4.89 for an indefinite period.

However, it would be reduced accordingly if chicken prices fall.

“The fund is in response to consumer and government concerns over the recent hike in chicken prices and in line with Giant’s business philosophy of helping consumers get more out of their ringgit,” Ho said in a statement yesterday.

In comparison, he said the price of chickens at other retailers were between RM5.29 and RM5.89 a kilo.

He also gave an assurance that the subsidised price would remain at RM4.89 even if chicken prices rose over the next few weeks.

“Giant is committed to improving the well-being of all Malaysians and helping consumers manage price fluctuations of daily essential needs such as chicken and other fresh produce,” he added.

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Carrefour offers great deals to NST readers
By : Jennifer Gomez


PETALING JAYA: Carrefour Malaysia has teamed up with the New Straits Times to launch its week-long "Cut and Save Campaign" beginning today.


Elaine Mok is convinced that Carrefour has the best deals in town.

The campaign, which ends on Sunday, is aimed at ensuring that Carrefour customers enjoy the best deals, given current times when budgets are understandably tight.

Carrefour Malaysia and Singapore managing director Shafie Shamsuddin said three coupons offering savings of between RM15 and RM50 for selected items would be available daily in the NST during the campaign.

These coupons are valid for two days.

On the weekend, there will be 12 coupons each day worth up to RM100.

With these coupons, customers can get up to 30 per cent discounts on selected items, of which nearly 80 per cent are foodstuff.

"We are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to satisfy our customers and this has led us to develop distinctive services, new products and promotions that will make shopping at Carrefour a very different experience compared with other shopping venues."

Shamsuddin added that this latest initiative was to help customers spend wisely.

Carrefour Malaysia is a hypermarket chain selling a wide range of groceries and products ranging from frozen food to garments and electrical items. It has 17 stores in Peninsular Malaysia.

Carrefour shoppers are excited about the Cut and Save Campaign, including Saadiah Yassin, 50, and Elaine Mok, 38, who were shopping at the Subang outlet last Tuesday.

Saadiah shops at Carrefour once a week but she is looking forward to dropping by more often during the campaign week.

"I'll certainly be on the lookout for the coupons, and hope to make full use of them. I'll most probably go for the fresh food."

She said she was happy to shop at Carrefour as it had a wide range of fresh food, thus saving her from making trips to the wet market.

"I get my fish here as wet markets can be quite expensive these days."

Mok was also happy with the range of products in Carrefour, saying that she had been a loyal customer for the past 10 years.

"I come here at least three times a week and I'm convinced that it offers the best deal in town. I will definitely be looking out for the coupons in the NST."

This campaign complemented Carrefour's pledge to pay twice the difference between the prices offered by it and its competitors on any product, if the latter's price is lower.

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Tesco: They're less choosy about jobs now
By Vasantha GanesanPublished: 2009/05/19



Contrary to popular belief, Malaysians are not fussy about the jobs they do, especially not now.

British hypermarket operator Tesco Stores (M) Sdn Bhd has seen an overwhelming response - up to five times more than usual - to its job openings over the past few months.

And the applicants are willing to do the job that they once refused and considered as menial.

"In February, we had over 300 to 350 applicants coming in for our walk-in interview in Kulai. This is five times more than usual," Tesco's human resource director, Norfaiezah Arshad, said.

"People have become less choosy too. They say 'I am willing to do any job. I am even willing to do the night shift'," she said.





According to Norfaiezah, it is usually difficult to get people to work night shifts and behind the fish counter. Now, they are willing to accept any job as long as they are employed.

Norfaiezah was talking to Business Times about the number of jobs the hypermarket operator will create between now and February 2010.

Tesco, which today employs 10,200 staff at its 30 stores, will create an additional 4,000 jobs as it plans to open another four to five stores and a distribution centre.

Of the number, 2,000 will be direct employees of Tesco who will be paid some RM24 million in salaries. Tesco's openings will also create an indirect employment of another 2,000 as it rents out space at its mall to other operators.

The non-management level in the retail business is notorious for high-level of turnover. In Malaysia, Tesco has, however, seen a reduction in turnover of sales floor staff.

Norfaiezah said its move to have tighter control on the people it hires, improved facilities (such as staff canteen, TV area and provision of newspaper), and continued improvement in the way it treats its sales floor staff has helped with staff retention.

"We used to have quite a high turnover, but now the turnover is predominantly for those working for less than 12 months," she said.

Of the 10,300 currently employed, 15 per cent are at management level and only 11 are expatriates for specific posts where local talents are difficult to find.

Norfaiezah said the long-term strategy is to groom local talent to replace the expatriates. Due to the lack of talent in the retail industry, Tesco is planning a new initiative to build retail skill.

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Tesco invests RM300m in distribution centre
Published: 2009/05/25




Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has invested over RM300 million to set up its non-chilled distribution centre in Bukit Beruntung, Selangor.

The centre is expected to be opened this September, its chief operating officer, David Hobbs said.

"We are very committed to the Malaysian market. The new distribution centre could be the most modern distribution centre in Malaysia," he said on the sidelines of the "Tesco International Sourcing Programme" seminar in Kuala Lumpur today.

Hobbs said Tesco Stores Malaysia is also planning to set up seven new stores this year.

Tesco Stores Malaysia was incepted on Nov 29, 2009, as a strategic alliance between Tesco Plc UK and local conglomerate, Sime Darby Bhd.

It commenced operations in February 2002 with the opening of its first hypermarket in Puchong, Selangor.

The hypermarket operator employs nearly 12,000 workers and operates 30 stores nationwide.

The "Tesco International Sourcing Programme" seminar was jointly organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Tesco Malaysia. -- Bernama

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Hypermarket set to open
By : Zainuddin Muhammad



KEMAMAN: The wait is almost over for 170 employees of a hypermarket in Kemasik, who have been on unpaid leave since January.

After more than eight months, the Giant Super Store at Mesra Mall will be open for business soon.

Sources close to Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the anchor tenant of the only shopping mall in the area would be issued a business licence soon by the Kemaman Municipal Council.

Sources declined to say when exactly the store would open, but added the menteri besar was expected to announce it soon.

The hypermarket opening had been a thorny issue for Ahmad, who was embroiled in a power struggle with others over his position, but observers noted that the Kijal assemblyman now has a clear path ahead with his development plans after the Umno leadership said he would remain as menteri besar.

This can only be good news for Azim Azmuddin Abdul Aziz, 21, who thought his prayers were answered when he got the sales assistant job at Giant in early October last year.

But his joy lasted for only two months when he received a letter, asking him to temporarily go on unpaid leave until the store, which was supposed to begin in October, could be opened for business.

The father of a one-year-old daughter thought the delay would be brief but after four months, he knew he had to look for another job.

After an exhaustive search he got a job as a part-time general helper at the nearby Kemaman Port.

Similarly, Wan Mohd Fauzi Wan Ali was in the dark why the store's opening was delayed, especially when it was fully stocked with products.

He said he had to accept the unpaid leave deal because of family commitments.

Cashier Norliza Mohamad, 21, said she was employed by the hypermarket in May last year and was sent for training in Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Shah Alam and Damansara.

She wanted the job badly because she could not accept employment at any of the outstation stores as her father had passed away and she needed to help her mother raise her younger school-going brother and sister.

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Melati Ehsan unit wins deal to build hypermart
Published: 2009/06/09





MELATI Ehsan Holdings Bhd says subsidiary Bayu Melati Sdn Bhd has won a RM54.8 million contract to build a Carrefour hypermarket at Bandar Tun Hussein Onn in Cheras.

The construction of a two-storey hypermarket was awarded by Magnificient Diagraph Sdn Bhd.

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Melati Ehsan Bags RM54.8 Mln Contract


KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) -- Melati Ehsan Holdings Bhd, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bayu Melati Sdn Bhd has received a contract worth RM54.8 million to construct the two-storey Carrefour Hypermarket with a single-storey basement at Bandar Tun Hussein Onn in Cheras.

The company, in its filing to Bursa Malaysia here Monday said, the work on the project had commenced as of Jan 5, pending finalisation of the design and contract sum for approval and agreement by Magnificient Diagraph Sdn Bhd.

It said the project will not have any effect on the share capital and substantial shareholdings of the company.

However, it is expected to contribute positively to the earnings of the Melati Group for the financial year ending August 31, 2009.

The project is expected to be completed in September 2009.



-- BERNAMA

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Retail scene to hot up
By Vasantha GanesanPublished: 2009/06/16



A new Malaysian company, whose hiring plans indicate a sizeable operation being drawn up, is expected to enter the RM65 billion retail scene soon.

While details remain sketchy, Perbadanan Pembangunan Peruncitan Bhd (PPPB) has been incorporated and sources say it will start by opening hard discount stores before moving into hypermarket and supermarket operations.

Hard discount stores typically sell below-the-average market price, have relatively smaller sales areas and carry limited products.

The sources said that PPPB, which has a project office in Putrajaya, also has its sights trained on overseas markets.

It plans to open at least 10 stores in Malaysia by the year-end and projects to have about 60 within five years of starting business.


The first of the stores, to be called Juara, is expected to be in Pekan, Pahang.

It is understood that PPPB will allocate 80 per cent of some 100,000 sq ft for retail space. It will carry some 100,000 stock-keeping units.

For a start, the stores will be located in secondary towns. Eventually, there will also be outlets in major cities.

Unlike foreign operators, local retailers are not restricted from expanding their business.

PPPB is currently on a recruitment drive. It advertised 294 job openings for various levels in a local daily last month.

The jobs include those in its planned hypermarkets, supermarkets, cafe and boutique, and overseas business development.

In addition to managerial vacancies for business development in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, it is seeking a manager for mergers and acquisitions.

A check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia showed that PPPB was incorporated on May 8 this year with authorised capital of RM100,000 and total shares issued of RM3.

The directors, each holding one share, are Mohamad Safwan Abdul Malek, Siti Nor Ahaszariyah Adnan and Rosnita Anak Joseph.

The nature of business was quoted as hypermarket and retail industry, manufacturer and wholesale and general trading.

It is understood that those recruited will be sent to France for training with Leader Price.

Leader Price, part of Le Groupe Casino (Casino Guichard Perrachon), is a hard discount brand created in 1989.

The company has some 480 stores in France and representation in more than 40 countries.

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Projek Carrefour diteruskan

Oleh SITI AIRUNNISA ALAUI
kota@utusan.com.my



Pembinaan Carrefour Kota Damansara diteruskan walaupun sebelum ini dimaklumkan projek itu menyalahi garis panduan.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



KOTA DAMANSARA 14 Jun - "Kami sudah jangkakan projek pembinaan pasar raya besar Carrefour Kota Damansara ini akan diteruskan juga.

"Jadi disebabkan itu penduduk telah bersedia lebih awal dan telah membawanya ke peringkat mahkamah untuk diselesaikan dengan cara yang lebih adil."

Itu adalah maklumat terbaru yang diperoleh wartawan Utusan Malaysia apabila menemui Yang Dipertua Persatuan Penduduk Flat Gugusan Dedap, Zamarudin Zainudin, 47, baru-baru ini di kediamannya di Seksyen 11, Kota Damansara.

Beliau mengulas mengenai projek Carrefour berkenaan yang masih berjalan walaupun sebelum ini Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Senator Datuk T. Murugiah memaklumkan bahawa lesen pembinaan pasar raya besar itu ditarik balik kerana ia melanggar banyak peraturan.

"Ini bukan pertama kali kenyataan dikeluarkan oleh pihak-pihak berkenaan dan kemudiannya projek tersebut diberhentikan selama beberapa bulan. Kemudian projek itu disambung semula.

"Tetapi apa yang menyedihkan, kenyataan yang keluar daripada Timbalan Menteri juga tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa untuk membantu penduduk di sini.

"Jadi, terpaksalah penduduk berusaha sendiri untuk mendapatkan hak kami," jelasnya.

Tambahnya, beliau berharap pihak mahkamah akan segera memberi injunksi bagi membolehkan projek berkenaan dihentikan.

Ujarnya, sekiranya mahkamah tidak dapat membantu, beliau berharap Perdana Menteri dapat masuk campur bagi menyelesaikan isu ini.

"Bantahan penduduk terhadap pembinaan pasar raya tersebut ada asasnya apabila ia dibina terlalu dekat dengan sekolah dan kawasan perumahan.

"Selari dengan moto pimpinan tertinggi negara, 'Rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan', saya rasa bantahan rakyat terhadap projek pembinaan pasar raya ini perlu diberi perhatian oleh Perdana Menteri kerana ia akan menjejaskan banyak pihak," jelasnya.

Sementara itu, Murugiah ketika dihubungi memberitahu bahawa beliau telah mengemukakan laporan siasatan pihaknya kepada Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) mengenai bantahan penduduk terhadap projek itu.

Beliau yang juga Pengerusi Biro Pengaduan Awam (BPA) berkata, arahan penarikan lesen hanya boleh dilakukan oleh KPDNKK, dan beliau hanya menyampaikan masalah orang ramai kepada kementerian terbabit.

"Saya telah menjalankan tugas saya untuk membantu penduduk agar perkara ini dipanjangkan kepada pihak berkenaan dan diselesaikan.

"Akan tetapi hanya KPDNKK boleh memutuskan pekara tersebut.

"Saya akan cuba mendapatkan maklum balas daripada KPDNKK melalui menteri barunya, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob mengenai pembinaan bangunan berkenaan," jelasnya.

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Tesco Cuts Prices Of 300 Grocery Products


KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Tesco Stores (M) Sdn Bhd has reduced the prices of nearly 300 grocery products starting Thursday.

Tesco said it would invest RM8 million to cut the prices and this would increase its investment todate to RM100 million.

"This is the second reduction this year and built on the RM12 million invested last quarter to reduce the prices," it said in a statement.

Its chief executive officer, Chris Bush, said the move was part of the company's ongoing quarterly commitment to help customers spend less.

"From today, we have reduced the everyday price on nearly 300 essential grocery products with an average discount of eight percent.

"As the global recession continues we have worked hard to reduce the costs in our business to pass onto customers as lower prices," he said.

He said Tesco would also offered cheaper alternatives to over 200 new products.

"They range from shampoo, detergents, cooking and baking needs and also food items like canned drinks, confectionery and frozen food," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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Tesco belanja RM8j kurangkan harga

KUALA LUMPUR 18 Jun - Tesco membelanjakan RM8 juta untuk menawarkan promosi potongan harga yang melibatkan 300 jenis barangan runcit.

Promosi harga itu menyaksikan Tesco melabur RM100 juta sehingga kini bagi menjayakan promosi itu kepada para pelanggannya.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Tesco, Chris Bush berkata, usaha itu adalah sebahagian daripada komitmen untuk membantu pengguna berjimat cermat dan bermula hari ini 300 jenis barangan runcit telah diberi purata diskaun sehingga lapan peratus.

Ini merupakan Kempen Potongan Harga Tesco kedua dan syarikat telah melabur RM12 juta bagi tempoh sehingga suku kedua untuk menurunkan harga.

"Sebagaimana kegawatan ekonomi berterusan, kami akan bekerja keras untuk mengurangkan kos di dalam perniagaan kami dengan merendahkan harga barangan untuk faedah pengguna," katanya dalam kenyataan akhbar di sini hari ini.

Dalam pada itu Tesco juga turut mengumumkan beratus produk baru yang bakal menawarkan harga pilihan terendah di dalam senarai barangan.

Senarai barangan itu menampilkan 200 produk baru seperti syampu, serbuk pencuci, memasak dan membakar serta barangan minuman dalam tin, kuih-muih dan makanan beku.

"Pengguna melihat kepada lebih banyak pilihan jenama murah. Kajian kami menunjukkan dengan tawaran pelbagai jenama yang banyak akan memberi alternatif kepada pembeli untuk kurang berbelanja berbanding sebelum ini," katanya.

Dengan harga murah dan terendah itu, ia bukan sahaja memberi faedah kepada pengguna tetapi juga kepada ekonomi negara sebagaimana Tesco dan pembekal mendapat sumber dan dikilang dan dibungkuskan di negara ini.

Pelancaran dua inisiatif oleh Tesco itu membuktikan pihak pengurusan syarikat mendengar dan bekerja keras dengan para pembekal kami untuk membantu pengguna dan ekonomi tempatan ekoran dari kegawatan semasa.

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Supermarkets, Hypermarkets Join Forces For Kelantan Mega Sale Carnival


KOTA BAHARU, July 8 (Bernama) -- A total of 19 supermarkets and hypermarkets in Kelantan have joined forces to make a success of the Mega Sale Carnival Malaysia 2009 organised by the Tourism Ministry.

Chairman of the State Tourism Action Council (MTPN), Datuk Abdul Aziz Derashid, said the annual programme, which took off here on July 4, will be offering products at discounted rates of up to 70 percent.

The products will include all types of clothings, food and drinks, toys and electrical goods produced in the country.

"People will be able to buy goods at a much cheaper rate than the usual prices they are sold at in other supermarkets," he told a press conference at his office here on Wednesday.

Abdul Aziz said Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen will be officiating the event at 2.30 pm on July 10 at the KB Mall here. Participating producers, distributors, non governmental organisations and associations are also expected to attend the event.

A variety of high quality products at competitive rates will be offered to both locals and foreigners during this carnival which is also intended to attract more tourists into the country.

As the goods will be much cheaper during this period, tourists are assured of a satisfying shopping spree during the carnival, he added.

--BERNAMA

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Pasar Raya Giant pamer produk PKS bulan ini


PETALING JAYA: Sebanyak 50 barangan makanan yang dikeluarkan lebih 30 pembekal perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) akan dipamerkan sepanjang bulan ini sempena kempen promosi memasarkan produk usahawan Bumiputera di Pasar Raya Giant Kota Damansara di sini.

Kempen yang antara lain bertujuan mempertingkatkan hasil jualan PKS di seluruh negara dalam perniagaan perusahaan makanan itu adalah usaha sama pasar raya berkenaan dan Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) bertemakan Cita rasa Malaysia Untuk Dunia.

Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Yusoff Dohab dalam ucapan Ketua Setiausahanya, Datuk Abd Jabar Che Nai, berkata kerjasama berkenaan mampu mewujudkan sinergi kepada usahawan untuk melangkah maju ke hadapan.



Beliau berkata, usahawan berkenaan harus mengambil peluang keemasan ini untuk melangkah lebih jauh sehingga kualiti produk mereka mendapat pengiktirafan selain melepasi piawaian terutama bagi memasuki pasaran negara maju lain di dunia.

“Kita sedia maklum yang hanya segelintir saja usahawan PKS Bumiputera dapat menembusi pasaran di pasar raya terulung di negara kita seperti Giant, dan keadaan ini perlu diperbaiki supaya matlamat kerajaan untuk mencapai sekurang-kurangnya 30 peratus daripada pembekal ke pasar raya terdiri daripada pengusaha Bumiputera tercapai.

“Begitu pun kelemahan usahawan dalam pasaran harus dipandang serius termasuk masalah kurangnya pengalaman dan pengetahuan terutama dari segi promosi dan urus niaga di pasar raya besar dan masalah mereka yang tidak mesra pelanggan iaitu tidak aktif menganalisis kehendak dan perubahan pengguna.

“Selain itu, masalah kekurangan peruntukan untuk program promosi dan tidak wujudnya program promosi bersepadu bagi mempromosi dan membentuk jenama di pasaran juga adalah antara kelemahan yang ada,” katanya selepas merasmikan kempen In-Store Promotion di sini, kelmarin.

Hadir sama, Pengarah Pemasaran GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Ho Mun Hao dan Timbalan Pengarah II Bahagian Pembangunan Usahawan Mara, Adilah Hassan.

Yusoff berkata, kementerian berusaha memberikan bantuan kepada usahawan dengan matlamat ingin menambah daya tarikan dan daya saing bagi produk keluaran Bumiputera dari aspek pembungkusan dan pelabelan selain mempromosi dan memperluaskan pasaran bagi barangan keluaran mereka ke luar negara.

“Pihak kami juga berusaha untuk memberikan peluang golongan usahawan terbabit menerokai pasaran baru dan sedia ada di mana usahawan Bumiputera dilihat mempunyai lebih persaingan sama ada di dalam negara mahupun di luar negara,” katanya.

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D-day for foreign hypermarts' franchise bids
By Vasantha GanesanPublished: 2009/07/14



The decision on whether foreign hypermarkets will be allowed to open convenience stores using the franchise concept will be known at the end of this month.

If the government says no, this would throw a spanner in the works for retailers Carrefour, which has a handful of stores, and Tesco that wants to enter the market.

Foreign hypermarkets want to expand in Malaysia but the government has kept a tight leash on their plans to protect local retailers.

But last year, Carrefour, which has the least number of hypermarkets in Malaysia, found a smart way of skirting around the rule and expanded its business by using the franchise format as it then fell under a different set of rules under the Entrepreneur Ministry.

Hypermarkets guidelines come under the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MTDCC) and it prevents foreigners from opening convenience stores.





However, a cabinet reshuffle early this year dismantled the Entrepreneur Ministry and franchise licences now comes under the MTDCC.

"MTDCC has been receiving representation (feedback) from local players especially the small- and medium-sized players that franchising by foreign hypermarkets will have a serious impact on retail players.

"MDTCC needs to ensure that the development in the distributive trade needs to be balanced by orderly market development as underpinned by one of the major objectives of the guidelines," secretary general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom told Business Times.

The world's second largest retailer Carrefour operates a chain of Carrefour Express in Malaysia under the franchise concept. It plans to have 100 more stores by the year-end and 1,000 in five years.

British retailer Tesco, in March, also voiced its intention to move into the business and said that it was seeking clarification from MTDCC.

For Carrefour, a decision not in its favour would also raise questions about the fate of existing stores.

A Carrefour official when contacted said it is hopeful that the business model can continue as it is able to reach out to areas where it can share its knowledge and know-how.

As at press time, Tesco did not respond to Business Times' queries.

[rizalhakim]

Tesco To Continue Investing In Asia


KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Tesco plc, the international grocery and general merchandising retail chain, will continue to invest in Asia despite the global economic slowdown, its chief executive officer of retailing services, Andrew Higginson, said Monday.

"We had terrific success and we are the biggest retailer in Asia. It is important for us to expand as there are still huge opportunities in Asia, including China and Japan," he said.

In Asia, South Korea is Tesco's biggest market outside the United Kingdom where the company is based, followed by Thailand and Malaysia.

Higginson said Tesco planned to spend 3.6 billion pound this year on capital expenditure to support growth around the world, of which slightly more than half will go to the Asian markets.

Malaysia, he said, is an important market for Tesco as the country is the third major anchor for Tesco in Asia, after South Korea and Thailand.

"It is important for Tesco to establish its third anchor before pushing into China," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) World Conference 2009 held here.

Besides Asia, Tesco will also continue to invest to expand its business in Europe, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, Higginson said.

He said the company will continue to invest in developing its retailing and financial services and telecoms, adding that it is important to invest to be in a commanding position to reap benefits when the economy recovers.

Originally specialising in food and drinks, Tesco has over the years diversified into areas such as clothing, consumer electronics, financial services, telecoms, home, health and car insurance, and dental plans as well as Internet services and software.

The conference, themed "The Global Village -- No Boundaries, No Limits", focuses on managing global profitability in the downturn, outsourcing as a competitive strategy, managing costs, shaping the future and the impact of the current economic crisis on globalisation.

At the event, finance directors were told that businesses must not only continue to deliver against short-term demands but still invest for the long term if they are to be in the best position to benefit when the global economy starts to recover.

"Now, more than ever, we must really listen to our customers and strive to be first for them. But to be able to deliver for customers, you need to get the basics right -- manage cash and costs carefully," Higginson said.

-- BERNAMA

[rizalhakim]

Tesco to continue expansion in Asia despite slowdown


KUALA LUMPUR: Tesco plc, the international grocery and general merchandising retail chain, will continue to invest in Asia despite the global economic slowdown, said chief executive officer of retailing services, Andrew Higginson.

“We had terrific success and we are the biggest retailer in Asia. It is important for us to expand as there are still huge opportunities in Asia, including China and Japan,” he said.

Higginson said Tesco planned to spend £3.6bil this year on capital expenditure to support growth worldwide, of which slightly more than half would go to the Asian markets.

Malaysia, he said, was an important market for Tesco as the country is the third major anchor for Tesco in Asia, after South Korea and Thailand.


A Tesco outlet in Kampar, Perak. Higginson says Malaysia is an important market for Tesco as it is the third major anchor for Tesco in Asia, after South Korea and Thailand

“It is important for Tesco to establish its third anchor before pushing into China,” he told reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the Chartered Institute of

Management Accountants (CIMA) World Conference 2009 here.

Besides Asia, Tesco would also continue to invest to expand in Europe, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, Higginson said.

He said the company would invest in developing its retailing and financial services and telecoms, adding that it was important to invest to be in a commanding position to reap benefits when the economy recovered.

Originally specialising in food and drinks, Tesco has over the years diversified into areas such as clothing, consumer electronics, financial services, telecoms, home, health and car insurance, and dental plans as well as Internet services and software.Themed The Global Village – No Boundaries, No Limits, the conference focused on managing global profitability in the downturn, outsourcing as a competitive strategy, managing costs, shaping the future and the impact of the current economic crisis on globalisation.

At the event, finance directors were told that businesses must not only continue to deliver against short-term demands but still invest for the long term if they were to be in the best position to benefit when the global economy started to recover.

“Now, more than ever, we must really listen to our customers and strive to be first for them. But to be able to deliver for customers, you need to get the basics right – manage cash and costs carefully,” Higginson said. — Bernama