Malaysian hypermarket operator Giant is to open 500 mini stores over five years.

Parent company Dairy Farm International says the smaller-scale stores will minimise operating costs, thus enabling the retailer to offer products at lower prices.

According to Dairy Farm International regional food director for Malaysia and Brunei Jeff Shaw, the mini stores will also increase employment and business opportunities locally. He said the company supports local businesses through its policy of giving priority to local suppliers and promoting Malaysian food and agro-based industries.

“We will open a few stores of only up to 5000 sqft on an experimental basis, it is really small and we will test to make sure it is suitable for customers,” said Shaw.

Shaw said the first of such mini stores has already opened in Shah Alam.

“We aim to open 20 mini stores for this year before moving to open 500 stores in five years,” he said.

Dairy Farm International operates 128 hypermarkets, supermarkets and shopping malls.