Mitsui Outlet mall, located in Sepang, will finally officially open on July 29.

The mall commenced trading in May with about 50 per cent of its stores completed. New stores have progressively opened and the first stage of the project is nearly complete.

Located close to the original Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminal, and alongside a highway, the developers expect it will attract shoppers on stopover and from the nearby cities.

Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang is the result of a joint venture (JV) between Mitsui Fudosan Co and Malaysia Airports Holdings. The outlet mall will be managed by the JV company, MFMA Development.

About 130 stores are expected to be trading by the end of the month, but retailers have been struggling to find staff to work in the mall which is 60km from Kuala Lumpur city and 6km from the airport.

With Japanese investment, the mall is promoting itself as Japanese-inspired and includes a ‘Japan Avenue’ with traditional arts and crafts, tea and food.

The developers plan to expand the facility in 2018, as well as 2021, to become the largest outlet mall in Southeast Asia with about 250 stores and floor space of about 44,000 sqm.

Stores offer luxury and branded products, fashion apparel and accessories, perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, kids and sports wear, household items and luggage.

A 24,000sqm foodcourt is included in the first stage of the project.