Poh Kong Aims To Open Outlets In Sabah, Sarawak In 2-5 Years

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Poh Kong Holdings Bhd, the largest retailer of gold jewelleries in Malaysia, expects to open its first outlet in Sabah and Sarawak within next two to five years in a bid to expand its business chain there.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=966047
Published: July 26, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/07/26/Poh-Kong-eyes-Sabah-and-Sarawak-Jewellery-retailer-awaits-AEON-to-open-malls-in-the-states.aspx
Published: July 26, 2013



Its Executive Director Ermin D.M. Siow said Poh Kong was waiting for AEON Mall, a specialist shopping mall developer, to open a shopping mall in Sabah and Sarawak as the gold and jewellery retailer was currently working closely with AEON.

"We are working with them (AEON) quite closely. We follow them (open the outlet) wherever they open their shopping mall.

"As you can see, wherever AEON opens their shopping malls, we also have our outlet there," he told Bernama here today.

He added that AEON Mall was expected to open its store in Sabah and Sarawak in 2015 and Poh Kong was anticipating the announcement of its opening.

Siow said to date Poh Kong has 105 outlets in Peninsular Malaysia and the company opened at least three stores annually with an investment of RM3 million to RM5 million per store.

Commenting on why Poh Kong did not take the opportunity to open outlets in Sabah and Sarawak on its own, he said the company preferred to focus its business in Peninsular Malaysia as there was always demand from the people.

"Why bother to open outlet in a place where we are not sure about their demand and location.

"Besides, you must ensure that the trade must be there before you put your staff," he said, adding the market in the peninsula needed to be improved in terms of management and resources.

Siow also said there were two major problems that prevented Poh Kong from expanding to Sabah and Sarawak, that is, location and human resources.

He said with the resource constraints that it was facing, it would be better for the company to focus its business in Peninsular Malaysia since it was easier for the management to manage the stores within the area.

He added that the company would priotitise its business in the peninsula if there was an opportunity for it to grow.

Siow also said Poh Kong was also considered by Malaysians as the one-stop-centre for jewels and gemsets.

"People prefer to shop jewelleries with us as we also provide seasonal products, which are designed depending on the festivals," he added.

Poh Kong recently launched the Anggun jewellery collection with prices ranging from RM200 to RM10,000.

-- BERNAMA