Friday November 9, 2012
Penang Property...Debenhams gears up for Penang
By CHRISTINA CHIN
sgchris@thestar.com.my
FASHIONISTAS can look forward to the opening of Debenhams in Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang, next year.
The exciting ‘British invasion’ is scheduled for July or August and work on designing the flagship store for the northern region is already underway, said Debenhams Malaysia managing director Andy Jackson.
The focus will be on the ladies with about 60% of the merchandise comprising womenswear.
Promising “great British products at great Malaysian prices”, he said the decision to bring the brand up north was a well thought through move.
In Malaysia, Debenhams has stores in The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, and Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, since 2008.
The soon-to-be-opened 18,000sq ft outlet will be Debenhams first outside of the Klang Valley.
“We’ve invested some RM4mil in this outlet and we will be employing about 30 local staff.
“Gurney Paragon will be the epicentre of shopping in Penang and the brands we carry will provide a breath of choice in quality fashion.
“Fundamentally, we realised from the onset the importance of getting the pricing right.
“Now Penangites won’t have to travel down to Kuala Lumpur to get their Debenhams fix,” he said.
He said Debenhams’ debut was timely as fashion conscious Penangites had often visited the brand’s outlets in Kuala Lumpur and asked about the possibility of a store opening here.
“We anticipate opening more stores in Malaysia such as in Johor but the Gurney Paragon outlet will be a flagship store to cater to the whole northern region,” he said.
Debenhams represents London’s most famous edgy high street fashion names alongside chains like Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse and Marks & Spencer.
With a legacy that dates back 200 years and more than 239 stores globally, Debenhams carries a host of designer lines exclusive to the chain, namely Julien McDonald, Matthew Williamson, Henry Holland, John Rocha and Jasper Conran.
Debenhams PLC UK head of international business development John Scott who was also present, said Asia offered the brand its biggest expansion opportunity.
“Clearly with the current crippling European economic conditions, Asia is our biggest growth area.
“We are looking at more stores in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and China.
“Debenhams sees itself as an ‘international retailer’ rather than a British retailer looking to spread its wings globally,” he said.
The duo were speaking at a press conference after the signing ceremony between Jackson and Hunza Properties Bhd executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong recently.
In his speech, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow who witnessed the signing, said Debenhams’ opening marked a continuation of Penang’s rich British presence here.
“The introduction of international brands like Debenhams will surely boost the state’s tourism, retail and food sectors,” he added.
Picture below:
Top guns: Debenhams Malaysia managing director Andy Jackson speaking to the media while Scott looks on.
Source reference link: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?sec=north&file=/2012/11/9/North/12270734
Penang Property...Debenhams gears up for Penang
By CHRISTINA CHIN
sgchris@thestar.com.my
FASHIONISTAS can look forward to the opening of Debenhams in Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang, next year.
The exciting ‘British invasion’ is scheduled for July or August and work on designing the flagship store for the northern region is already underway, said Debenhams Malaysia managing director Andy Jackson.
The focus will be on the ladies with about 60% of the merchandise comprising womenswear.
Promising “great British products at great Malaysian prices”, he said the decision to bring the brand up north was a well thought through move.
In Malaysia, Debenhams has stores in The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, and Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, since 2008.
The soon-to-be-opened 18,000sq ft outlet will be Debenhams first outside of the Klang Valley.
“We’ve invested some RM4mil in this outlet and we will be employing about 30 local staff.
“Gurney Paragon will be the epicentre of shopping in Penang and the brands we carry will provide a breath of choice in quality fashion.
“Fundamentally, we realised from the onset the importance of getting the pricing right.
“Now Penangites won’t have to travel down to Kuala Lumpur to get their Debenhams fix,” he said.
He said Debenhams’ debut was timely as fashion conscious Penangites had often visited the brand’s outlets in Kuala Lumpur and asked about the possibility of a store opening here.
“We anticipate opening more stores in Malaysia such as in Johor but the Gurney Paragon outlet will be a flagship store to cater to the whole northern region,” he said.
Debenhams represents London’s most famous edgy high street fashion names alongside chains like Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse and Marks & Spencer.
With a legacy that dates back 200 years and more than 239 stores globally, Debenhams carries a host of designer lines exclusive to the chain, namely Julien McDonald, Matthew Williamson, Henry Holland, John Rocha and Jasper Conran.
Debenhams PLC UK head of international business development John Scott who was also present, said Asia offered the brand its biggest expansion opportunity.
“Clearly with the current crippling European economic conditions, Asia is our biggest growth area.
“We are looking at more stores in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and China.
“Debenhams sees itself as an ‘international retailer’ rather than a British retailer looking to spread its wings globally,” he said.
The duo were speaking at a press conference after the signing ceremony between Jackson and Hunza Properties Bhd executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong recently.
In his speech, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow who witnessed the signing, said Debenhams’ opening marked a continuation of Penang’s rich British presence here.
“The introduction of international brands like Debenhams will surely boost the state’s tourism, retail and food sectors,” he added.
Picture below:
Top guns: Debenhams Malaysia managing director Andy Jackson speaking to the media while Scott looks on.
Source reference link: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?sec=north&file=/2012/11/9/North/12270734
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