RadioShack, US-based retailer of mobile and technology products, services and accessories, and Berjaya Retail Berhad have signed a master development agreement that expands RadioShack’s global footprint across 10 Southeast Asian countries.
Berjaya Retail, a Malaysian retail group with a diverse portfolio of franchised brands, is expected to open at least 1000 franchised stores across Southeast Asia nations within the next 10 years. Its subsidiary in Malaysia, Berjaya RS, expects to open its first RadioShack locations later this year in Kuala Lumpur.
The Berjaya relationship represents RadioShack’s single largest franchise expansion to date and offers the potential to nearly double the number of RadioShack’s total dealer-franchise locations worldwide, eventually increasing the company’s global footprint to 39 countries.
“Our franchising objective is to offer the RadioShack small-format consumer electronics retailing experience internationally in association with local experts. Based on its experience with multiple US and international brands, we believe that Berjaya will represent RadioShack in Southeast Asia with the same high standards,” Martin Amschler, VP of franchise for RadioShack.
“Berjaya’s depth of retailing experience will guarantee a quality customer experience as well as the relationships and expertise that are necessary to select high-quality, high-visibility and high-traffic locations in this growing region.”
“The RadioShack brand will complement our other retail successes not only by widening our product range, but also in terms of fulfilling our aim to deliver greater convenience to customers. Moreover, it affords us the opportunity to expose the market to a growing lifestyle trend in electronics and gadgets whereby accessories and IT peripherals are an integral part of modern urban life,” said Yau Su Peng, COO of Berjaya RS Sdn. Bhd.
Berjaya Retail Berhad operates the 7-Eleven and Singer brands that have a combined network of 2000 stores.
RadioShack offers master franchisees a range of modular, flexible approaches to retailing: stand-alone, mall-based units or strip- center units, leased or built; kiosks; shop-in-shop units; sale or distribution of exclusive private brands in consumer electronics and facilitated access to leading global brands and manufacturers.
“With a history that traces back more than 90 years, RadioShack is one of the most enduring and identifiable retail brands in consumer electronics today,” Amschler said. “We are continuing to explore and cultivate relationships with qualified candidates to introduce RadioShack’s small-format electronics experience in other global regions.”
GB
