Malaysia Retailer I Vol 11 No 1 2023 I TENHO Group

MALAYSIA

Vol 11 No 1 2023

RETAIL I FRANCHISE TENHO GROUP

RAISING MALAYSIAN FLAVOURS ONTO THE GLOBAL STAGE Lee Wilson and Alex Chong Weng Wah, Co-Founders & Directors of TENHO Group

MRCA Strengthens International ties at Indonesia Retail Summit 2023

WM RM9 / EM RM11

CONTENTS / VOL. 11 NO. 1

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MRCA Strengthens International Ties At Indonesia Retail Summit 2023

COVER STORY 2

Tenho Group – Raising Malaysian Flavours Onto The Global Stage With the growing demand for traditional Asian food, Tenho Group has risen to the challenge to deliver outstanding value and exceptional flavours to Malaysians from all walks of life. Lee Wilson and Alex Chong Weng Wah, Co-founders and Directors of Tenho Group speak to CHRISTINA THOMAS about the Group’s journey and future plans.

MRCA EVENTS /MARKET INFO ON THE COVER

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Malaysia Retail Industry Report (September 2023)

13 MRCA Strengthens International Ties at Indonesia Retail Summit 2023

14 Visit to Xiamen 16 Everyone Can Cook with EMMA 18 Golfing and Giving Lee Wilson and Alex Chong Weng Wah, Co-Founders & Directors of TENHO Group

21 Introducing DEWI Citra – Your Gateway to Unprecedented MLM Success!

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Durian Fest Captivates Both Local and Tourists

22 Red Box’s Stunning Renovation Fuses Luxury with Entertainment

23 The Summit USJ Unveils Exciting New Tenants

24 Corporate Visit To Proton Centre of Excellence

26 Local Plant-Based Food Brand Raised to Vegeciting Levels

28 Durian Fest Captivates Both Local and Tourists

30 LOOB Holding, My US Pizza Win MFA Awards

31 Fruitful and Relaxing Trip 32 Buddy Get-Together 34 MRCA Youth Promotes ThoughtLeadership & Learning

Cover Story

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Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

With the growing demand for traditional Asian food, Tenho Group has risen to the challenge to deliver outstanding value and exceptional flavours to Malaysians from all walks of life. Lee Wilson and Alex Chong Weng Wah, Co-founders and Directors of Tenho Group speak to CHRISTINA THOMAS about the Group’s journey and future plans.

enho Group is the brainchild of two visionary Malaysian entrepreneurs with a passion to make Malaysian flavours great, not only on the home front but internationally. Lee Wilson and Alex Chong sing the same tune where traditional recipes, quality and distinction are concerned. Wilson, the founder of the Good Taste Restaurant, a brand under the Tenho Group, has more than 20 years’ experience in F&B, having started out his first wanton noodles outlet way back in 2003.

business,” he adds. With business booming and a continuous stream of customers on a daily basis, Wilson opened his next outlet in Bandar Sungai Long, which also drew droves of customers as soon as it was opened.

Speaking about his winning formula, Wilson explains, “In the last 20 years, nobody has brought wanton mee into the store concept. I am the first to offer an air-conditioned outlet which is comfortable,” Wilson points out.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Over the next 15 years, Wilson went on to open 25 to 30 outlets across the Klang Valley. He even opened a few outlets in shopping malls, however, when the pandemic hit the scene, Wilson closed the outlets in the malls due to low customer traffic.

Looking to scale up and expand the business, Wilson collaborated with Alex, also a veteran restauranteur with his own halal brand of outlets.

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“My father gave me his traditional recipe and I embarked on my first shop in Mahkota Cheras in 2003,” he reminisces. Initially established as a retirement project for his father, the shop received overwhelming response right from the start,” Wilson shares.

“It was full-house almost everyday since day one, with long queues. Finally, my father asked me to come back and take over the

STEADY AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

EMBARKING ON BUSINESS EXPANSION After the pandemic, Wilson met Alex and the rest is history. “He had his brand of halal restaurants. We collaborated and now we have 50 F&B outlets offering halal and nonhalal food,” Wilson explains.

The duo’s first halal outlet, called Serasa Garden was opened in Melawati, comprising a 25,000 square foot shop floor.

Telling his side of the story, Alex says, “I wanted to know the secret behind Wilson’s fabulous wanton noodles recipe as I was a regular at Good Taste. For more than 2 years, I tried to recreate his recipe but I could not,” he quips.

At that point of time, Alex was managing his own F&B brands, namely Sakura Kristal, Makan Culture and Leleh. “All my brands are located in malls and during the MCO I faced difficulties due to reduced customer traffic. Once the MCO had ended, I was looking to expand,” says Alex.

Having known each other for some time, Alex and Wilson were Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Cover Story

TENHO GROUP – RAISING MALAYSIAN FLAVOURS ONTO THE GLOBAL STAGE

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Cover Story

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“We want the younger generation to get to know us – we want to sell our story and our food. Our aim is to maintain our traditional Asian flavours.”

– Lee Wilson, Co Founder and Director of TENHO Group

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

comfortable with each other’s progress, however, post-MCO got them thinking about collaborating to take their brands to the next level. “We felt that we had to reset, re-do everything and fight to thrive again. That’s when I got his recipe,” shares Alex.

Wilson’s traditional recipe was used in Serasa Garden, albeit a halal version, making the restaurant a huge success. “With Wilson’s input and experience along with his recipe, Serasa Garden was a roaring success,” Alex adds.

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From just one halal outlet, Tenho now has 12 halal outlets within just 6 months. These outlets include Serasa Garden, Sepuloh Kopitiam and Dii Thai, located in Shah Alam, Melaka and Subang Bestari, aside from the Melawati outlet. “In fact, many people prefer Serasa Garden,” Alex points out.

CONTINUOUS INNOVATION Key to their success is their proactive business approach and innovation.

The duo own 2 factories in Kota Damansara and Balakong, producing ingredients for their F&B businesses.

They have also established a central kitchen to ensure uniformity and consistency in flavours offered at all their F&B outlets.

Both Alex and Wilson strongly believe that the winning factor for the success of all their outlets is their ability to deliver top quality food combined with traditional flavours at affordable prices.

Being future-minded entrepreneurs, Alex and Wilson have introduced several innovative ideas into the business. These include machinery to prepare food more efficiently and consistently, introducing QR code for orders, centralised kitchen facilities, and even manufacturing their own ingredients.

Talking about innovation in their

“We felt that we had to reset, re-do everything and fight to thrive again.”

– Alex Chong Weng Wah, Co Founder and Director of TENHO Group

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Cover Story

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business, Alex notes, “Good Taste was previously a stall, and you could say the first innovation was the move into an air-conditioned shop, then table service was introduced, followed by QR code ordering, machine preparation of food, and maybe in the future, robots serving customers. We never stop innovating.”

CHALLENGES IN F&B Touching on the topic of challenges in the F&B business, Wilson shares that the most common challenges include pricing and competition.

“Trends change very quickly and we often see restaurants open, and then shut down eventually, because they are unable to keep up with the competition in the market,” he adds.

At Tenho Group, customers’ complaints are taken very seriously, stresses Wilson. “We take action and we rectify as well as improve.

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

However, despite offering customers very affordable prices, one of the common grouses we receive is about pricing,” he retorts.

FUTURE PLANS Sharing about their future plans, Wilson expresses that he hopes to carry out an initial public offering (IPO) exercise in the next 2 years.

With Alex, he hopes to take Tenho Group to greater heights and become the first wanton mee business to be public-listed.

“We are well on the track to achieving our IPO plans, with our gross revenue hitting RM80 million per annum. As a result our company is receiving positive response. The hurdle now is to corporatise Tenho Group, however we don’t want to rush it, instead we want to do it right,” Alex explains.

Alex and Wilson echo the same dream about taking Malaysian food

to international markets. “I want to bring our Malaysian food to the rest of Southeast Asia and the USA,” Wilson shares.

“We want the younger generation to get to know us – we want to sell our story and our food. Our aim is to maintain our traditional Asian flavours, and to bring Malaysian food to the world – because Malaysia Boleh!” he beams.

The duo also have plans to set up an academy to create more entrepreneurs. Explaining the rationale behind his plans, Wilson said “We face manpower challenges almost every day, so I shared with Alex why not create an academy and train people to be entrepreneurs. That way everyone can be entrepreneurs.”

Tenho Group is also set on pursuing franchising business opportunities and have just received their franchise license for the Good Taste and Serasa Garden brands. ■

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Market Info

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Malaysia Retail Industry Report (September 2023) Compiled by Retail Group Malaysia

PREAMBLE

LATEST RETAIL PERFORMANCE

Members of Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) were interviewed on their retail sales performances for the second quarter as well as the rest of 2023.

After two years of Covid-driven retail slump and an unprecedented strong recovery last year, Year 2023 has been a period for Malaysian retail industry to return to pre-crisis level.

For the second quarter of 2023, Malaysia retail industry recorded a poorer-than-expected growth rate of -4.0% in retail sales, as compared to the same period in 2022 (Table 1).

This latest quarterly result was way below the market expectation.

In June 2023, Members of MRA and MRCA estimated an average growth rate of 2.6% for the second quarter of 2023.

The weaker-than-expected result

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

was attributed to 2 main factorslower sales during Hari Raya festival and high base effect.

Hari Raya Aidlfitri in 2023 was celebrated nationwide on April 22. Although retail sales were encouraging, it was not comparable to a year ago. Hari Raya festival a year ago was celebrated nationwide during the months of April and May. This period encouraged Malaysians of all races to shop outdoor after 2 years of lockdown.

TABLE 1: YEAR ON YEAR PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN RETAIL SALES (WEIGHTED), 2022/23 Type Retail sales

Period

% Growth

Apr-Jun 2022

62.5

Jan-Mar 2023

13.8

Apr-Jun 2023

-4.0

Jan-Jun 2023

2.6

Source: MRA/ MRCA/ Retail Group Malaysia

In 2022, shopping centres and main commercial centres throughout Malaysia started to attract large shopping crowd 3 weeks before Hari Raya. Shopping traffic in major shopping malls stayed at high level even 2 weeks after the holiday.

During the second quarter of 2022, retail sales expanded by 62.5%. It was one of the highest quarterly growth rate achieved in the history of the Malaysian retail industry. Therefore, the negative growth rate in this quarter was partly due to the high base effect a year ago.

For the first 6 months of this year, Malaysia’s retail industry grew by 2.6%, as compared to the same period in 2022.

COMPARISON OF RETAIL SALES WITH OTHER ECONOMIC INDICATORS For the second quarter of 2023, Malaysia’s national economy grew by 2.9% (Table 2, at constant prices), as compared to -4.0% for retail sales (at current prices).

Stable labour market, sustainable consumer spending and higher tourism activities contributed to the positive economic growth. Lower export growth, weak commodities market and high base effect from a year earlier led to slower growth in the economy.

The construction sector (6.2%) and services sector (4.7%)

enjoyed strong recovery, while the manufacturing sector managed to expand by 0.1% only. At the same time, the mining sector and agriculture sector reported negative growth rates of -2.3% and -1.1% respectively.

The average inflation rate during the second quarter of 2023 inclined by 3.4%. Average price of goods had experienced slower increment.

Nevertheless, this quarterly increase surpassed the average inflation rate in Malaysia for the last 10 years.

During the month of June, the highest increase was Restaurants & Hotels at 5.4%. This was followed

by Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages at 4.7%.

Private consumption expanded by 4.3% during the second quarter of 2023. Sustainable consumer

spending and high base rate from a year ago contributed to a moderate growth rate.

During the second 3-month period, the Consumer Sentiment Index (by MIER) dipped further to 90.8 points. Once again, it dropped below the 100-point threshold level of optimism. Higher cost of living and weak income prospect were the main reasons.

Unemployment rate during the second quarter of 2023 stayed at 3.5% due to stable labour market condition.

RETAIL SUB-SECTORS’ SALES COMPARISON After a remarkable recovery a year ago, many retail sub-sectors suffered from negative growth rates during the second quarter of 2023 (refer to Table 3). These latest quarterly results were way below market expectation.

The retail sales of Department Store cum Supermarket sub-sector dropped by 9.6% during the second quarter of 2023, as compared to the same period a year ago.

In addition, retail business of Department Store sub-sector shrunk by 16.7% during the second 3-month period of this year. This was the worst performing sub-sector during the quarter.

In spite of Hari Raya festival,

TABLE 2: COMPARISON OF RETAIL SALES WITH OTHER ECONOMIC INDICATORS, 2023 1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

GDP (%)

5.6

2.9

Inflation rate (%)

3.9

3.4

Private consumption (%)

5.9

4.3

Economic Indicator

Retail sales (%)

13.8

-4.0

Consumer Sentiment Index

99.2

90.8

Unemployment rate (%)

3.5

3.5

Source: Bank Negara/ Department of Statistics/ MIER/ Retail Group Malaysia

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Market Info

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Market Info

10 the sales of the Supermarket and Hypermarket sub-sector fell by 6.1% during the second quarter of 2023.

On the other hand, the MiniMarket, Convenience Store & Cooperative sub-sector enjoyed double-digit growth rate of 11.5% in retail sales during the second quarter of this year. This was the best performing sub-sector during the quarter.

During the second quarter of 2023, the Fashion and Fashion Accessories sub-sector was hit with a negative growth rate of -15.5%.

Similarly, the Children and Baby Products sub-sector recorded a decline in retail business with -9.5% growth in retail sale during the second 3 months of this year.

During the second quarter of this year, Pharmacy sub-sector reported a strong growth rate of 5.0%, as compared to the same period a year ago.

The Personal Care sub-sector enjoyed a moderate growth rate of 2.9% during the second 3-month period of this year.

The Furniture & Furnishing, Home Improvement as well as Electrical & Electronics sub-sector reported a dismal growth rate of -12.4% during the second quarter of 2023.

The retail business of the Other Specialty Stores sub-sector (including photo shop, sporting goods store, second hand goods store, store retailing musical instruments, optical store, store selling health equipment, gifts store, arts & crafts store as well as TV shopping channels) contracted by 7.7% during the second quarter of 2023, as compared to last year.

NEXT 3 MONTHS’ FORECAST Many members of the two retailers’ associations choose to stay conservative of their business prospect for the next 3 months.

They estimate an average growth rate of 1.4% in retail sales during the third quarter of 2023 (Table 4).

The low projection is also due to the high base effect a year ago.

During the third quarter of 2022,

Malaysia retail industry had a historically high growth rate of 96.0%.

The department store cum supermarket operators are expecting their sales to have near-zero growth rate of -0.1% for the third quarter of this year.

After an impressive recovery a year ago, the department store operators are expecting their businesses to slow down with a growth rate of -4.2% for the third 3 month period of this year.

The supermarket and hypermarket operators are expecting their businesses to normalise further in the next 3 months. They anticipate their sales to weaken with -6.7% in growth rate during the third quarter of 2023.

This is the worst projection among the retail sub-sectors for the quarter.

In contrast, operators of mini markets, convenience stores and cooperatives are foreseeing their growth momentum to maintain.

For the third 3-month period of this year, their businesses will increase by 7.1%.

TABLE 3: YEAR ON YEAR PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN RETAIL SALES

BY RETAIL SUB-SECTOR, 2023 Retail Sub-Sector

2nd Qtr

1st Qtr %

Department store cum supermarket

16.2

-9.6

Department store

16.2

-16.7

Supermarket and hypermarket

7.7

-6.1

Mini-market, convenience store & cooperative

13.4

11.5

Fashion and fashion accessories

23.4

-15.5

Children and baby products*

8.9

-9.5

Pharmacy

15.3

5.0

Personal care

11.6

2.9

Furniture & furnishing, home improvement as well as electrical & electronics

0.2

-12.4

Other specialty retail stores

-1.9

-7.7

Notes: *- children and baby products include apparel, accessories, equipment, school uniform and toys **- pharmacy and personal care stores were grouped under one category in Year 2020 Source: MRA/ MRCA/ Retail Group Malaysia

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

TABLE 4: 3-MONTH RETAIL SALES FORECAST BY RETAIL SUB-SECTOR, JULY-SEPT 2023 Retail Sub-Sector

TABLE 5: MALAYSIA RETAIL INDUSTRY QUARTERLY GROWTH RATE, 2023

% Growth rate

Overall (weighted)

1.4

Department store cum supermarket

-0.1

Department store

-4.2

Supermarket and hypermarket

-6.7

Mini-mart, convenience store & coop.

7.1

Fashion and fashion accessories

-0.2

Children and baby products*

5.4

Pharmacy

5.0

Personal care

14.5

F&F, home improvement and E&E#

5.4

Other specialty retail stores

6.2

Quarter

Growth Rate (%)

First

13.8

Second

-4.0

Third

(e) 1.4

Fourth

(e) 3.0

Whole year

(e) 2.7

(e)- estimate Source: Retail Group Malaysia

Notes: *- include apparel, accessories, equipment, school uniform and toys #- furniture & furnishing, home improvement and electrical & electronics Source: MRA/ MRCA/ Retail Group Malaysia

Retailers in the fashion and fashion accessories sector expect their businesses to experience a near-zero growth rate of -0.2% during the third quarter of 2023.

Retailers selling children and baby products are anticipating their businesses to regain its growth momentum with a growth rate of 5.4% during the third 3 months of this year.

Pharmacy operators are optimistic of their retail sales during the third quarter of this year with a projected growth rate of 5.0%.

Retailers in the personal care sub-sector are expecting their businesses to thrive with a growth rate of 14.5% during the third quarter of 2023. This is the most optimistic growth projection among the retail sub-sectors for the quarter.

Operators of furniture & furnishing, home improvement as well as electrical & electronics are upbeat of their businesses in the next 3 months. They anticipate their businesses to expand by 5.4%.

Market Info

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Retailers in other specialty stores sub-sector (including photo shop, sporting goods store, second hand goods store, store retailing musical instruments, optical store, store selling health equipment, gifts stores, arts & crafts stores as well as TV shopping channels) are equally hopeful for this period. They expect their businesses to expand by 6.2% during the next 3-month period.

THE REST OF YEAR 2023 In June this year, Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) estimated a 4.8% growth rate in retail sale for 2023.

RGM has revised downwards Malaysia’s annual retail industry growth rate for 2023 from 4.8% to 2.7% (Table 5).

This significant downward revision was due to two factors.

The second quarter growth rate was -4.0% instead of 2.6% estimated 3 months ago. This unexpected final result was a downward revision by 254%.

The third quarter growth rate

was estimated at 3.0% in June 2023. Retailers are less optimistic on the spending power of Malaysian consumers during the current quarter. Third quarter growth rate has been revised downwards from 3.0% to 1.4%. This is a 53% drop from earlier projection.

For the last quarter of 2023, the growth projection maintains at 3.0% as compared to a year ago.

Although shopping traffic has returned to pre-covid level, the spending power has been weakened in recent months. Malaysia’s retail industry is still facing several major challenges for the rest of this year.

Although monthly inflation rate has eased during the last few months, the price increments of many basic necessities and consumer goods are still higher than pre-lockdown.

In the month of July 2023, Malaysia’s inflation rate eased to 2.0%. The increase was mainly driven by Restaurants & Hotels (5.0%) as well as Food & NonAlcoholic Beverages (4.4%).

Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages contributes 29.5% of the total Consumer Price Index (CPI) weight.

For the month of July, 80.4% of the food items recorded price increases.

The average inflation rate for the first 7 months of this year increased by 3.0%, as compared to 2.8% for the same period a year ago. Majority Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Market Info

12 of Malaysians are still burdened by the higher cost of living.

Weak Malaysian currency in recent months has led to another round of price increases due to higher import costs of raw materials, semi-finished goods and finished retail goods.

On May 3, Bank Negara Malaysia raised the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 3.0%.

This was the fifth revision since May last year. Higher interest rate has eroded the purchasing power of Malaysian households.

Higher interest rate has led to Malaysian house owners to pay higher monthly instalments. Many Malaysians delay the purchases of high-valued consumer goods.

Higher interest rate encourages Malaysians to put more money in the banks.

Since the beginning of this year, retailers have been facing with rising manpower cost, increased rental rate and hefty electricity bill.

For many retail outlets, the lack of staff has affected their sales and operation hours. Shortage of staff includes the entire retail supply chain.

Higher electricity tariff on commercial users that use medium to high voltages has contributed to higher operation cost. For retail shops and shopping centres, the increases have been up by 30-50% per month.

FOOD & BEVERAGE SECTOR Hari Raya festival contributed to higher sales for F&B outlets located

in all parts of the country. However, it was not comparable to the same celebration held a year ago.

Higher food prices and higher operation costs had led to increased operation costs for F&B operators in Malaysia. Weaker Ringgit led to higher costs for raw materials and food ingredients.

Food & Beverage Outlets ( Cafe and Restaurant) recorded a negative growth rate of -10.1% during the second quarter of 2023, as compared to the same quarter a year ago (Table 6).

Apart from lower sales contribution, this sub-sector slipped into the red zone due to the high base effect a year ago. During the second quarter of 2022, this subsector grew by 36.3%.

On the other hand, the sales of Food & Beverage Outlets (TakeAway, Kiosk and Stall) rose by 10.1%

during the second quarter of 2023, as compared to the same period one year ago. During the second quarter of 2022, the business of this subsector inclined by 35.5%.

F&B operators are struggling with higher raw material costs and depleting profit margin during the third quarter of 2023. In addition, many F&B outlets are still facing shortage of kitchen staff and servers.

Cafe and restaurant operators are foreseeing their businesses to be rather flat in the third 3 months of this year. They expect 1.9% growth rate as compared to the same period a year ago.

Interestingly, food and beverage kiosk and stall operators are anticipating their businesses to maintain its growth momentum with a growth rate of 10.4% during the third quarter of 2023. ■

TABLE 6: MALAYSIA FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY QUARTERLY GROWTH RATE, 2023 Growth Rate (%)

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr (e)

Cafe and restaurant

9.7

-10.1

1.9

Take-away, kiosk and stall

21.5

10.1

10.4

Notes: -Cafe and restaurant include fast food restaurant, cafe, coffee cafe, bakery cafe, restaurant, full-service restaurant and caterer.

-Take-away, kiosk and stall include food outlet caters for take-away only, bakery without seating, kiosk and food stall. (e)- estimate Source: MRA/ MRCA/ Retail Group Malaysia

Footnote: • This report is provided as a service to members of MRA, MRCA and the retail industry. It provides industry data that give retailers better analytical tools for running their retail businesses.

• This report is not allowed to be reproduced or duplicated, in whole or part, for any person or organisation without written permission from Malaysia Retailers Association, Malaysia Retail Chain Association or Retail Group Malaysia.

• Retail Group Malaysia is an independent retail research firm in Malaysia. The comments, opinions and views expressed in this report are of writer’s own, and they are not necessary the comments, opinions and views of MRA, MRCA and their members.

• For more information, please write to tanhaihsin@yahoo.com.

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Forming cross-border business relationships and collaborations.

he MRCA entourage led by Dato’ Sharan Valiram, President, attended the Indonesia Retail Summit 2023 organised by HIPPINDO (Indonesia Retail & Tenant Association) in August, to strengthen international ties with regional retail industry counterparts. The 2-day summit features panel discussions, dialogues and presentations by international speakers who shared valuable insights into the regional retail industry.

The event was officiated by Indonesia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and was attended by various

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dignitaries and representatives from Indonesia’s government and retail industry. Topics discussed and explored during the summit included tourism, halal certification, trade and import-export, the economic landscape, branding, investment programmes, sustainability and the prevention of fraud, among other salient topics.

A gala dinner featuring a talkshow showcasing four prominent women retail leaders was also hosted at the Summit, by Anne Patricia Sutanto, while the speakers comprised Meshvara Kanjaya, Fetty Kwartati, Lilis Mulyawati

and Marietta W. Narpati. Drs. Teten Masduki from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises of Indonesia, delivered the keynote address to commemorate Hari Retail Indonesia (HARMONI) Award. Meanwhile, the closing speech for the summit was delivered by Dr. H. Zulkifli Hasan from the Ministry of Trade. The HARMONI Awards ceremony featured two main categories namely the FNB and non-FNB categories.

It was a truly insightful event that gave MRCA members a clear view of the regional retail landscape and the dynamics of the market. ■

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

MRCA Event

MRCA Strengthens International Ties at Indonesia Retail Summit 2023

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MRCA Event

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Visit To Xiamen Exploring international connections and partnerships.

delegation of 6 MRCA EXCO members and ordinary members went on a visit to Xiamen in China. The team had a fruitful time attending the 3rd China Processed Food Industry Conference and Exhibition held at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center (XICEC). The entourage from MRCA comprised Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok, Past President, Dato’ Vincent Choo, Vice President and Christine Tan, Council Member as well as other members namely Datin Cynthia Cheong, Clement and Jeremy Hiew.

The event drew a significant number of industry professionals and consumers, with over 100 domestic and international exhibitors showcasing thousands of processed food products. The conference saw the participation of over 50 large-scale brand

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Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

enterprises from Malaysia and other countries and regions, encompassing supermarkets, convenience stores, chain restaurants, and e-Commerce platforms. Aimed at helping businesses deepen their understanding of domestic processed food enterprises, the conference and exhibition also assisted domestic processed food

manufacturers forge connections with overseas businesses, paving the way for efficient global expansion.

The team had a fabulous time in Xiamen making strategic business connections, experiencing the sights and sounds of Xiamen and making Malaysia proud with the participation of our retail industry partners in the event. ■

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MRCA Event

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Everyone Can Cook with EMMA Eramas Group welcomes MRCA members for a memorable experience of EMMA products.

RCA’s F&B division organised a visit to Eramas Group to learn more about the company’s renowned EMMA brand of coconut-based cooking products.

The group of members participating in this visit, were given a warm welcome to EMMA’s premises by Valerie Choo, MRCA’s Vice President and the Chief of the F&B Division.

Valerie said the event was an opportunity for Eramas to share about the company’s coconutbased products under the brand

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Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

name of EMMA. The delegates were also given a mouth-watering cooking demonstration using EMMA products while learning about the benefits of coconut-based products.

Yan Hua Lan, Group Managing Director of Eramas Marketing (SEA) Sdn Bhd introduced the company’s two factory premises and briefed the visitors on the manufacturing processes and the company’s milestones.

Participants were also given the opportunity to try their hands at cooking under the guidance

of EMMA’s team of professional chefs.

The visit culminated in a sumptuous lunch hosted by Eramas using ingredients from the EMMA range of products such as coconut powder, coconut milk and curry paste. It was the perfect opportunity for the delegates to whet their taste buds to the EMMA range of products. The event ended with a great networking session over healthy food and a beautiful ambience of friendship and camaraderie. ■

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Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

MRCA Event

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Golfing and Giving MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation’s MRCA Charity Golf 2023 raises RM25,000 for five charitable homes.

RCA Branding Education Charity Foundation (MRCA Foundation) successfully hosted its 6th MRCA Charity Golf 2023 event on September 14, 2023 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, Bukit Kiara.

With the participation of 26 flights comprising 104 golfers, the event surpassed expectations, both in terms of sporting excellence and charitable contributions.

The MRCA Charity Golf 2023 has raised funds for charitable causes amounting to RM25,000 in donations. This generous contribution will be distributed among five deserving charity homes, namely: 1. Rumah Bakti Al-Kausar 2. Kiwanis Club Kluang – Persatuan Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Kluang, Johor 3. Pertubuhan Kebajikan Yesuvin Mahligai (YM) Selangor 4. Persatuan Rumah Kebajikan Rita 5. Persatuan Insan Istimewa Cheras, Selangor The MRCA Foundation said in a statement that it is deeply committed to supporting these organisations, which tirelessly work to improve the lives of underprivileged individuals and families in our community.

The event was graced by Guest of Honour and Executive Chairman of Sunsuria Bhd Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap, Chairman of MRCA Foundation Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok, MRCA President Dato’ Sharan Valiram, the trustees of MRCA Foundation; Organising

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Chairman Ben Lee, along with the dedicated working committees, MRCA council members, event sponsors, representatives from the charity homes benefiting from the event as well as various distinguished guests.

The MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation said it looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting charitable causes and creating a positive impact in the lives of the less fortunate.

The MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation came into existence in 2010. As the leading retail chain association in the nation, the MRCA achieved tremendous breakthrough in the year 2010.

Under the initiatives and leadership of its 2008-2010 President Dato’ Tay Sim Kim, the MRCA raised RM1 million for the set-up of the MRCA Foundation.

With the set-up of this

foundation, the MRCA started to work in giving back to society through visitations and donations to Charitable Homes during Malaysia’s main respective festive seasons, namely Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas. ■

The esteemed MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation trustees are: 1. Dato’ Tay Sim Kim, Founder Chairman 2. Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok JP, Chairman of MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation 2022-2024 3. Dato’ Eddie Choon 4. Datuk Albert Chiang 5. Datuk Lee Hwa Cheng, 6. Dato’ Liaw Choon Liang JP 7. Datuk Seri Garry Chua 8. Ms. Shirley Tay

19 The objectives of the MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation are: • To act as trustee, administer funds for medical, educational and charitable purposes • To recognise academic achievement excellence from members’ children • To assist, aid, provide relief and render financial assistance to the poor and needy • To provide education assistance to the needy and to deserving students • To provide medical and surgical facilities and services • To organise, implement and support schemes for the relief of human sufferings and treatment of sicknesses and diseases.

The MRCA Foundation is deeply grateful to the bighearted sponsors of the MRCA Charity Golf 2023.

They included: • Hole-in-One Sponsors Sime Darby Auto Bavaria Sdn Bhd, who generously sponsored the BMW 320i, and Poh Kong Jewellers, who sponsored jewellery worth RM50,000 • Platinum Cash Sponsor Tropicana Corporation Bhd • Silver Cash Sponsors Sri Ternak Group of Companies • Hole Sponsor Barkath CO-RO Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (Sunquick), Jacc4our Sdn Bhd (Eureka), LEDKing Sdn Bhd and Urban Ground Sdn Bhd • Media Sponsors Spectrum Outdoor Marketing Sdn Bhd and Robb Report • Apparel Sponsor Fire Fighter Industry Sdn Bhd • Sponsors in-Kind Ambon Boenda Bakery, Barkath CO-RO Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Bentley Music Sdn Bhd, Brilliant Merchandising Sdn Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Crestlink Links (M) Sdn Bhd, Ektech Communications Sdn Bhd, Focus Point Holdings Bhd, Linaco Group of Companies, Metro Optical Group, MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd, PUMA Sports Goods Sdn Bhd, Rotol Food-Chain (M) Sdn Bhd, Thai Seng Liquor Sdn Bhd, Valiram Group and Watatime (M) Sdn Bhd.

Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Introducing DEWI Citra – Your Gateway to Unprecedented MLM Success!

By Dr Victor SL Tan

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t DEWI Citra, we understand the emotional pulse of building a thriving business. We’re not just another solutions provider; we’re your unwavering partners on the path to greatness in the world of multi-level marketing (MLM) and direct selling ventures.

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Imagine a future where your aspirations become a stunning reality. Our team of qualified professionals will ignite your passion and expertly navigate the intricate web of regulations, ensuring your licensing approval and thriving presence in your chosen markets.

But we don’t stop there!

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Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

Market Info

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Market Info

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Red Box’s Stunning Renovation Fuses Luxury with Entertainment This revitalised establishment showcases modern, inviting karaoke room interiors, thoughtfully paired with state-of-the-art JBL sound systems.

he grand reopening of Red Box Karaoke at The Gardens Mall heralds a new era for karaoke enthusiasts, delivering a contemporary and technologically advanced karaoke experience like never before.

It’s a sensory journey that promises unparalleled sound quality, visually captivating lighting, dynamic LED displays, a small DJ stage and an extensive song catalogue spanning both local hits and international favourites.

At Red Box Karaoke, everyone can immerse themselves in their beloved melodies to their heart’s content. Furthermore, this venue at The Gardens offers remarkable flexibility, accommodating gatherings from intimate soirees to grand celebrations, with their largest room accommodating up to 50 patrons.

The Grand Reopening event of Red Box The Gardens featured enticing lucky draws, enchanting lion dances, sumptuous buffets and, of course, exhilarating karaoke for guests to revel in.

With unwavering support for the Malaysian music scene and the broader music industry, Red Box Karaoke offers artists a gateway to connect with a diverse demographic, including families.

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COLLABS AND SPONSORS The resounding success of this grand event is made possible by the generous support of their esteemed sponsors. Red Box Karaoke extends its heartfelt gratitude to Pernod Ricard Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Carlsberg Marketing Sdn Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

SPECIAL OFFER Bhd, JBL Entertainment, Coca-Cola Refreshment Sdn Bhd and Jack’n Jill Roller Coaster for their invaluable contributions that have made this occasion truly special.

Beyond entertainment, Red Box Karaoke plays a pivotal role in championing the local music industry.

At the grand opening event, Red Box Karaoke’s CEO Karl Khoo said it has always played a main role in supporting the local music scene and industry.

“We often collaborate with members of the media, recording labels and artist managers, and introduce exciting events to our customers and the general public, and we hope to continue to do so for years to come,” he said.

“Our mission is to redefine karaoke entertainment in order to deliver the most exciting singing experience ever, and our vision is to become the number 1 karaoke in Southeast Asia, leading the future of karaoke.” Also present at the event was Managing Director Dr Giovann Ng.

Through collaborations with media outlets, record labels and artist managers, Red Box Karaoke curates an array of events for its patrons and the general public. Moreover, Red Box Karaoke excels in customisation, catering to a wide spectrum of events, from birthday bashes to gender reveals and corporate gatherings. They even offer the flexibility to tailor a buffet to match the occasion.

Red Box Karaoke has always been synonymous with fun and family-friendly experiences, a tradition that continues to evolve.

With expansion plans and new outlets on the horizon, Red Box Karaoke is poised to carry forward its legacy of providing memorable family activities, fostering friendly get-togethers and remaining a vibrant tourist attraction.

To further enhance the grand reopening celebration, Red Box Karaoke is extending a special offer: a one-hour karaoke extension for just RM1 to customers who check in between October 8 and November 8. For terms and conditions and more details, please visit their website. ■

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The Summit USJ Unveils Exciting New Tenants With a focus on providing exceptional experiences, the neighbourhood mall continues to evolve and meet the ever-changing needs and desires of its valued customers

he Summit USJ, the beloved neighbourhood mall, recently unveiled a host of exciting new tenants.

With a careful selection of retailers, dining establishments and entertainment venues, the mall redefines the concept of a neighbourhood shopping experience, offering a vibrant and dynamic destination for shoppers and leisure enthusiasts alike.

The unveiling event on June 27 was graced by esteemed guests of honour, including Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Senior Director of Distributive Trade and Business Sector Dato’ Rohaizi Bahari, The Summit Subang USJ Management Corporation Chairman Zuhairy Md Isa and other prominent industry leaders.

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Food Network Summit is set to become the go-to destination for food lovers seeking unique and tantalising culinary adventures.

Discover the ultimate indoor golfing experience at Fun X Golf, a state-ofthe-art facility spanning close to 15,000sq ft.

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure at Fun X World, a sprawling indoor playground spanning an impressive 55,000sq ft.

Holistic well-being outlet Stemberry offers a unique concept focused on wellness and selfsustainability.

Experience the art of handpulled noodles at Lan Zhou Mee Tarik, a renowned restaurant chain that has opened its 8th outlet at The Summit USJ. Mak Chick, a Muslim-friendly chicken rice brand, brings cherished heirloom recipes infused with

local spices and seasoning to The Summit USJ. Discover a wide range of home appliances and furniture at AIO Home. With an impressive NLA of approximately 20,000sq ft, AIO Home offers a comprehensive selection of renowned brands to meet your home needs.

Embark on a premium shopping experience at NSK Grocer. With a wide variety of groceries and household goods, NSK Grocer caters to discerning customers seeking exceptional quality and variety.

The Summit USJ continues to foster community connections and collaboration through its diverse tenant mix. By seamlessly integrating existing and new tenants, The Summit USJ creates a vibrant ecosystem where visitors can come together, celebrate and forge lasting relationships. ■ Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

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Corporate Visit to Proton Centre of Excellence A valuable learning experience.

RCA organised a corporate visit to the Proton Centre of Excellence in Subang Jaya to gain valuable insights on its operations and methodologies. The entourage comprising 40 members was warmly welcomed by the team from Proton, led by Mr Lee Yeet Chuan, Chief Executive Officer of PGS at Proton.

Encik Yusri Yusuf, Proton’s Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at Proton, shared valuable insights on the organisation and its best practices. Through his presentation, Encik Yusri gave MRCA members a good idea of Proton Centre of Excellence’s operations, the ideology fuelling the centre and the milestones achieved.

The team was also taken on a tour of the Proton Brand Gallery after which they had the opportunity to network and interact over light refreshments.

MRCA extends its appreciation to Mr Lee, En Yusri and team at the Proton Centre of Excellence for the excellent hospitality and memorable learning experience. ■

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Local Plant-Based Food Brand Raised to Vegeciting Levels Plant-based eating has transitioned from a trend into a movement driven by environmental and health reasons. Chin Swee Vegeciting has something for those with discerning tastebuds. hin Swee Vegeciting, a pioneering plant-based culinary brand known for its avant-garde approach to vegetarian cuisine, hosted Malaysia’s biggest plant-based fine dining event that aims to redefine Malaysia’s culinary landscape.

This first-of-its-kind soiree, dubbed ‘Plantastic Fine Dining: Nanyang Charm’, held at the Seng Peng Hall, Wisma Chinese Chamber early September, served up an unparalleled fusion of food, art and culture to 120 guests — all while raising funds for charity.

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Co-organised with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KLSCCCI), the event promoted plant-based cuisine and generated funds for the KLSCCCI’s Culture and Education Fund.

As more consumers become conscious of their food choices, plant-based eating has transitioned from a trend to a full-blown movement driven by ethical, environmental and health considerations.

Chin Swee Vegeciting stands at the vanguard of this culinary

revolution, offering a delightful alternative that does not compromise on taste, luxury or nutrition.

“We want to change conventional ideas of vegetarian food — that it is ‘boring’ and filled with processed mock meats — and take it into the modern era,” said Chin Swee Vegeciting CEO Aiveen Wong.

“With Plantastic Fine Dining, I wanted to create a memorable celebration of nature and heritage, while showcasing the incredible range of flavours and textures that can be achieved through plant-based

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ingredients alone. As an advocate of education and lifting people up, I also wanted to use this event as a vehicle to give back to society.”

Located at Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Chin Swee Vegeciting redefines plant-based dining through innovation, creativity and culinary artistry.

Chin Swee Vegeciting traces its roots back to Chin Swee Vegetarian Restaurant (now known as Chin Swee Vegetarian Cuisine), a pioneering vegetarian establishment founded

by Wong’s late father in 2007 and situated amid the lush greenery of Genting Highlands, Pahang.

With Plantastic Fine Dining, Wong aims to highlight Nanyang cuisine, characterised by its aromatic spices, intricate techniques and cultural fusion.

Guests at the fine dining event experienced a meticulously curated multi-course menu that pushes the envelope of plant- based

gastronomy, inviting them to embark on a sensory journey that challenges preconceived notions of vegetarian dining.

Special guest Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai shared his journey as a vegetarian. Yudi Yap, famously known as the Nanyang Songbird, transported guests with her enchanting vocals and unique musical stylings of a bygone era.

Proceeds from the event was dedicated to KLSCCCI’s Culture and Education Fund. In addition to focusing on business development, KLSCCCI has always advocated for social, cultural, and welfare initiatives. For over three decades, KLSCCCI has hosted the prestigious Mahua Literature Award to enhance Malaysian Chinese literature.

Additionally, KLSCCCI provides financial aid for secondary school and tertiary students through its Scholarship Fund.

Since the 1980s, the fund has

disbursed RM2.4 million to a total of 1,791 students. Meanwhile, its Education Loan set up in 1995 has given out loans totalling RM2.8 million financing 198 at-need students at local and foreign institutions of higher learning.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Chin Swee on this gourmet extravaganza celebrating healthy lifestyles and culinary heritage. It is a pleasure to note that funds generated from the event will further our mission of helping more young people pursue their dreams of higher education, as well as support the Malaysian Chinese literary scene,” said KLSCCCI spokesperson Soong Wing Hong.

Guests who attended Plantastic Fine Dining included Tan Sri Vincent Tan, founder of Berjaya Group, Dato’ Tan Tian Meng, Vice President of the association, Puan Sri Chelsia Chan, Dato’ Liaw Choon Liang, Dato’ Eddie Choon, and more. ■ Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

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Durian Fest Captivates Both Locals and Tourists It is hoped that the event will become a muchanticipated annual affair promoting the local fruit, the local culture and Malaysia as a tourist destination. he 3rd edition of the Malaysia International Durian and Cultural Fest 2023 – the largest durian buffet and cultural event – held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil was a star-studded event that saw bigger sponsorship and an impressive turnout of durian lovers.

The event, jointly organiser by DKing and LKE Musang Queen, was officiated by Tourism Malaysia Director General Dato’ Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar together with brand event ambassadors Dato’ Aaron Aziz, Amber Chia and Chan Fong.

Seeing this third instalment as a success in terms of number of participants, collaborators and sponsors, there was a resounding demand to make it an annual event attracting both locals and international tourists as it promotes the much-loved thorny fruit as well as the local culture to the world.

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In his welcome speech DKing founder Leron Yee, also the founder and organiser of the event, thanked the guests of honour and the event collaborators in making the durian fest a success despite its unforeseen postponement in June 2023 due to the black spot illness in durian orchards.

However, judging by the size of the goody bags, this could have been a blessing in disguise as Leron believes that the current show is bigger and better.

“The number of sponsors and collaborators have grown as have our goody bags – from RM250 to RM600. Every visitor who has purchased the RM68 entrance ticket qualifies for the goody bag as well as the all-you-can-eat quality durian (excluding kampung durian) such as D101, D24, Red Prawn and Butter King. The top range Musang King durian is sold

in packs of 300g for only RM45 during this event,” he said.

At every slot of the durian buffet, there was the lucky draw event for customers. As customers relished the durian buffet, they also enjoyed performances by local artistes and stood a chance to win Musang King durian when they join a singing competition. Brand event ambassadors Dato’ Aaron Aziz, Amber Chia and Chan Fong was on hand to serve customers.

LKE Musang Queen co-founder Jeremy Chin, who is also joint organiser of Malaysia International Durian and Cultural Fest 2023, said the collaboration between DKing and LKE Musang Queen exemplified an outstanding partnership which will extend into the coming years.

“Both parties are keen to work together on an annual event, most likely to be called Hari Durian or Durian Fest, an event that

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originated in Malaysia and is gaining worldwide recognition,” he said.

Dato’ Dr Ammar said Tourism Malaysia hopes this worthy event and its supporting activities will take place every year.

“This year, Malaysia targets 16.1 million in international tourist arrivals. I am confident the event will benefit the Malaysian economy as well as the local durian industry and the FnB, hotel and shopping sectors,” he said.

The durian buffet attracted over 3,000 local and 600 international durian lovers, and 1,200 participants for the Durian Fun Run. “This event is not just about

eating durian but participating in healthy activities like the Durian Fun Run, family activities such as kids’ talent show and catwalk organised by MoveKids and other organisations in promoting family bonding.

“Not only that, strategic partner Melife, led by Datin Seri Jekkie Chin, set a new record by performing 1,458 face washes in a single day, surpassing the previous record of 1,154. RM5,000 was collected for charity, thanks to this effort. Tourism Malaysia hopes this event will be a popular event on our national calendar.”

Visitors also enjoyed durian

cakes, ice-creams, chocolates and many other forms of the dessert items infused with the local durian flavours. Dato’ Dr Ammar said that those who are seeing durian for the first time may want to try out these products first.

“It could be a first step towards a lifelong love affair with the fruit.”

The event concluded with a bang on September 10, 2023, setting two new records in the Malaysia Book of Records. It saw the presence of YM Tengku Dato’ Dr Hishammuddin Zaizi bin YAM Tengku Bendahara Azman Shah Alhaj from the Selangor royal house. ■ Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

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LOOB Holding, My US Pizza Win MFA Awards Both companies – members of the Malaysian Retail Association – are helmed by visionaries who understand the need for their products to evolve fast to keep up with the latest trends and consumer demand.

oob Holding Sdn Bhd won the International Franchisor of the Year award while My US Pizza Sdn Bhd clinched the Emerging Franchisor of the Year award at the 2023 Malaysia Franchise Awards organised by the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) early October 2023.

Bryan Loo, CEO and founder of Loob Holding, whose motto is: Think big, start small, scale fast, said his team takes on challenges with determination and passion.

“I feel honoured and humbled winning this award,” said the creator of Tealive. The brand is one of the fastest growing bubble tea franchise in the country with over 800 stores.

It also has more than 70 outlets in Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and as far as Mauritius, Australia and Canada.

Jeremy Hiew, owner of US Pizza outlets in Malaysia, said the award will inspire him and his team to work smarter.

In an interview with the Retailer in 2022 Jeremy said that we live in an era of knowledge sharing and that while self-reliance is a strong quality, it is in sharing and exchanging information, knowledge and experiences that can help a company grow faster and greater.

US Pizza has more than 100 outlets in Malaysia and Indonesia.

There are plans to open stores in Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

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The prestigious Malaysia Franchise Awards 2023 offers a valuable opportunity for franchise entrepreneurs to be recognised as the year’s best franchise players.

The event was first introduced in 1997 with the goal of recognising and encouraging the contributions to those involved in the development of national franchise.

This year’s awards were presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a ceremony attended by MFA Chairman Datuk Radzali Hassan with over 800 guests.

Some 21 awards were offered for franchise-preneurs, ranging from the coveted Franchise of the Year category to the Special Appreciation category.

In his speech reported by Bernama, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia Franchise Awards has taken the right move to encourage more entrepreneurs to venture into the franchise business.

“I believe that this award can motivate franchise operators to work harder to achieve excellence

and to be on par with international brands,” he said.

“Through this effort, it will create a strong and sustainable franchise business ecosystem, producing competitive franchise entrepreneurs, resistant to future challenges and able to stand firm at the global level,” he added.

Meanwhile, MFA Chairman Datuk Radzali Hassan said the organisation of the 25th Malaysian Franchise Awards was a manifestation of the appreciation for local industry players who strive to maintain excellent performance to ensure they are on par with global brands.

“With only five categories listed at the beginning of its organisation, the Malaysia Franchise Awards have now given recognition to over 100 companies and individuals.

“This award proves that the struggle of local franchise companies in empowering the economy is significant and important to support the growth of the country’s economy especially in this challenging economic situation,” he said. ■

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Fruitful and Relaxing Trip The Women’s Division regrouped, refreshed and reemerged stronger after their two-day excursion.

onnecting, sharing and supporting are ways women enrich and empower each other.

This is especially necessary in today’s business setting where women participation and entrepreneurship are still seen as lacking.

As such, attending small events that bring together women entrepreneurs is one way women can share success stories and learn from one another. These sessions can inspire and encourage other women in the industry, and even help them find mentors who can provide advice and offer support.

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With this in mind, 23 women from the MRCA Women’s Division signed up for a two-day Outing Trip at Villa Nadiah in Janda Baik in July 2023.

Although the main agenda was “Just Relax”, as stated on the event poster, committee members proceeded to hold their Women’s Division Committee Meeting. This was followed by a team building exercise for everyone. After dinner, the ladies proceeded to a cozy corner of the villa for what could be the highlight of the trip – a sharing session.

This two-hour gathering saw

powerful dialogue, networking and mentoring all rolled into one.

Head of MRCA Women’s Division Dato’ Winnie Lim Yoke Chin said the trip centred on at least two of the objectives of the Women’s Division – to encourage and foster collaboration, goodwill and understanding among members of the division; and to promote and advance the personal and professional development of the MRCA Women in the retail chain business and franchise industry.

Among the speakers for the evening’s sharing session were Mah Sing Group Bhd Senior General Manager Lyanna Tew, Milestone Production Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Grace Lee and Chin Swee Food Sdn Bhd CEO Aiveen Wong.

The trio shared on their background, what inspired them to become entrepreneurs and what their support system looks like.

They also spoke on the advantages of networking and building relationships. Racheal Tan was the moderator for the session.

“These power women are humans too, and they each spoke about how they cope with expectations of having to both excel in the corporate and the home front,” said Dato’ Winnie.

“Particularly meaningful was when they each shared on a challenging moment in their entrepreneur journey which saw them having to sacrifice for their family while managing the demands of their business.”

The trip ended the next day with a photo session and a visit to the Chin Swee Temple. ■ Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1

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Buddy Get-Together Building connections, networking and knowledge sharing.

n continuing to cultivate an environment of strong business relationships and networking, MRCA organised a Buddy GetTogether. The late afternoon event was held at the GoldenHome Kitchen in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

GoldenHome Kitchen, established in 2013, specialises in built-in cabinetry and joinery works serving both corporate and retail clients. The company provides top quality, eco-friendly and functional kitchen solutions.

GoldenHome Kitchen’s cabinets are made with ENF European standard particle boards to ensure the cabinetry is free of cancer-causing materials.

MRCA members attending the event had the opportunity to participate in knowledge sharing

by Council members and learn valuable insights to further fuel their businesses.

Council members Terry Tay, Liang Foo Kuan, Ben Lee and Dr Afendi Dahlan were at hand to deliver tips and real-life experiences in business and navigating the complex business environment. The session ended with a great time of networking and building business connections as well as friendships among members. A spread of delicious food, great company and valuable knowledge made the Buddy Get-Together a successful effort in building a strong fraternity of entrepreneurs and business leaders. ■

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MRCA Youth Promotes Thought-Leadership & Learning Featuring representatives from renowned brands, the session delivered nuggets of wisdom from seasoned business leaders.

he Youth Division organised a thoughtprovoking learning session for MRCA members to deliver insightful tips and real-life experiences to help entrepreneurs and businessowners navigate the challenging business environment. Held at PJLA Studio at The Square@Jaya One, the event witnessed a good turnout of MRCA members who were enthusiastic to learn more from their fellow industry partners.

The sharing session featured Tiara Teh, Head of Asset Management, Jaya One Management Sdn Bhd, Jasdeep Sandhu, Sales Engineer from Zebra Technologies, Alex Ooi, Director of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie Corp (M) Sdn Bhd, and Patrick Sim, Chief Executive Officer of Secret Recipe Holdings Sdn Bhd. Tiara Teh shared about Jaya One and its impressive offerings which was conceptualised to be a vibrant community-centric mall, with recreational, shopping, dining, learning and event spaces. Speaking about the versatility of Jaya One and its strategic location, Tiara highlighted the mall’s role as a one-stop hub at the heart of Petaling Jaya’s bustling business centre.

With technology taking centrestage across businesses, Jasdeep Sandhu shared about Zebra Technologies which specialises in technology used to sense, analyse, and act in real time. The company also specialises in technology for

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computer hardware, manufacturing, retail, health care, transportation and logistics industry. Jasdeep highlighted Zebra’s unique strengths and its global presence that gives it an edge in delivering comprehensive solutions to meet customers’ needs.

The session continued with a sharing by Alex Ooi on Famous Amos’ presence in Malaysia and its current business operations in delivering mouth-watering cookies baked with love. Having entered Malaysia 40 years ago, Alex shared how Famous Amos has become a household name for chocolate chip cookies and the company’s journey

in innovation. Today, the cookiemaker that prides itself for its “free smells”, operates over 60 successful hot-baked stores in shopping malls and airports in Malaysia, offering nine varieties of chocolate chip cookies which are baked on a daily basis. Alex also highlighted the newly introduced “soft & chewy cookies” that offer a variety of flavours.

Patrick Sim has no trouble engaging the audience with the story of Secret Recipe. Renowned for its extensive range of quality gourmet cakes over the last 25 years, Secret Recipe is now one of the fastest growing lifestyle

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cakes and café chain in the region with over 380 café outlets to date.

Located across prime locations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Maldives and Bangladesh, Patrick highlighted the brand’s strength in the markets it operates. He touched on Secret Recipe’s brand value of “Ultimate Dining Experience Like No Other” and “Our Modern Lifestyle Regional cafe”, and how the brand has touched the lives of consumers, becoming the preferred choice for special occasions.

The Amazing Games segment saw members engage in fun-filled activities that worked wonder as a networking opportunity and to form close bonds with other industry partners and businessowners.

Networking continued over dinner at the Three Stooges restaurant in Petaling Jaya, where members whetted their palates over tasty food and enjoyed great company. ■ Malaysia Retailer Vol 11 No 1