Too often retail in Asian countries is considered to just be following what happens elsewhere in the western world.

As with the shift in world economy to Asian countries such as China and India so too is there a shift in where you will find world’s best retail initiatives. An example of this quantum leap in leading rather than simply following is Setia City Mall in Shah Alam Malaysia, due to open in May.

Setia City Mall is being developed as a joint venture between S P Setia and the Asian Retail Investment Fund, a fund managed by the investment arm of international property developer Lend Lease. This partnership will deliver a mall that is at the leading edge of mall concepts and it will set the standard for others to follow in regard to commercial, social and community standards.

Setia City Mall will combine a fantastic mix of over 230 retailers, 2500 car parks, an alfresco dining precinct, a water-jet plaza, a large park and lake and interactive children’s play facilities.

Executive VP, S P Setia, Khor Chap Jen, said: “The vision for Setia Alam is the creation of a nature-inspired sanctuary and a vibrant urban hub. The opening of Setia City Mall will crystalliSe this vision and provide residents near and far with not just another retail mall, but a holistic lifestyle destination.”

Even during the construction period, Setia City Mall has set the highest of performance standards being honored with a Gold Award by the Malaysian Society for Occupational Health and Safety.

The project was recognised for demonstrating outstanding implementation of health and safety systems, exemplary consideration for the safety of the surrounding public and for exceeding both local practice and industry requirements.

Setia City Mall has continued to establish many “firsts” and/or unique initiatives including Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Gold Award, the first mall to receive the accreditation in Malaysia. The award is in recognition of the new mall’s abundance of sustainability initiatives, which meet five evaluation criteria including energy and water efficiency, environment protection, indoor air quality and innovation.

To ensure Setia City Mall integrates with its surrounding community, a number of initiatives have been implemented, which included a Family Day were the children of project workers were given the unique educational experience of visiting the under construction mall. The children, aged between six and 15, were given an opportunity to learn about roles in the construction industry, the importance of safety in the workplace and the responsibility of protecting the environment.

Local residents were also given the opportunity to win a tour of the mall during the construction phase. A competition on Setia City Mall’s Facebook page gave the winners an in depth look at what goes into the creation of a new mall, thus formulating relationships even before the centre is open to the public.

During Christmas 2011, the mall formed a partnership with local charity StART, (an organisation that provides creative outlets for underprivileged children). The children created fun videos posted on YouTube to both raise awareness of the charity and to gather Christmas presents for needy children.

Setia City Mall also received visits from local university engineering students who were given a tour of the mall and an educational insight into the construction process (pictured below).

The retail line-up will bring a range of new players into the Malaysian market.

Urbanfresh will launch its first and flagship store in Setia City Mall. The 27,000sqft supermarket will be located at ground level with easy access to both the car park and the general entry drop-off and pick-up points. Urbanfresh will feature fresh produce, groceries and a wide selection of general merchandise.

Lee Fook Kiong, GM at Urbanfresh, said the company is honored to launch its maiden flagship in Setia City Mall, noting the mall will be more than just a supermarket; it will be a great place for family outings.

A truly global shopping experience, without leaving Malaysia, will be possible given there is in excess of 50,000sqft of international fashion brands including Zara, Uniqlo, MNG, Guess, Esprit, La Senza, G2000, Cotton On, Timberland, Rip Curl, Aldo and Timberland.

In addition to the international retail brands visitors to Setia City Mall will be able to enjoy the best of Malaysian retail with a strong line up of local fashion outlets including Nicchi, F.O.S and Padini as well as a Parkson department store, a 9 screen Golden Screen Cinemas, Fitness First, Courts, Harvey Norman, and Wangsa Bowl.

This mall is not just a shopping centre but an environment for the family to enjoy life together. The entire family can enjoy dining together in one of the many restaurants in the alfresco dining precinct followed by a tranquil walk around the lake and thru the gardens. 

Setia City Mall will also create over 2000 jobs for the local community. Jobs will be created in mall management, retail outlets, customer service, cleaning, security, and maintenance and operations. A dedicated recruitment day was held where the mall, and its tenants, could recruit staff from the local catchment community, (pictured below).

The mall is committed to social sustainability and will play an active role in the local community. One key initiative is a community waste recycling centre which will be set up as a buy back centre to commit local residents to a sustained recycling program.

The team behind Setia City Mall has a refreshing approach to what it takes to set new standards in retail mall development, which have begun during the construction phase and will continue long after the mall opens.

Setia City Mall is destined to be a lifestyle experience and whilst retail is an essential component, there is so much more to be enjoyed. This is a mall with something for everyone whether it is an international shopping experience or shopping in the best of Malaysian retailers, dining out with family and friends, watching a movie, keeping fit, wandering the park gardens or watching the children enjoy themselves in the interactive play areas Setia City Mall is setting ‘world’s best’ standards in mall development.

When Setia City Mall opens in Shah Alam, Malaysia on May 17 it really will deliver “great times inside and out”!

* InsideRetail.Asia columnist Darrell Wisbey has 30 years retail experience, living and working in Australia and Asia. He is based in the Philippines and a member of Impact Retailing. Email Darrell.