Ikano Centres, part of Ikano Retail, has disclosed the growth plans for its shopping centres in Malaysia and Thailand as shoppers begin to return to physical visits.
Ikano Centres’ portfolio of shopping centres includes IPC, MyTown, Toppen and Batu Kwan in Malaysia, together with Megabangna in Thailand. According to the company, its leasing rate remained at 92 per cent throughout the past 18 months, despite the Delta lockdowns.
“We are optimistic about our recovery as we see more visitors returning to our centres,” said Adrian Mirea, shopping centre and mixed-used director. “To strengthen the shopping experience across our centres, we continue to sustainably invest in both physical developments to our assets and also digital platforms to elevate the experience that shoppers have at our centres.”
The company said its strategies will be driven by an omnichannel approach and strategic commercial developments.
IPC shopping centre will see an upgrade of facilities and services to strengthen its family-friendly offers while adding new dining options. Ikano Centres Batu Kawan will expand its F&B tenant lineup in the coming months.
Kuala Lumpur-based MyTown is to introduce a socialising hub MyGround. More than 145,000sqft of its former department store location is being redeveloped into new retail spaces.
Meanwhile, Toppen’s space booking platform, Soulmates, is targeted to be rolled out to other centres within the Ikano Centres portfolio. Developments are also underway for Toppen’s new multi-storey car park, scheduled to launch in late next year. The shopping centre will also welcome Lulu Hypermarket’s first outlet in South Malaysia next year.
Ikano Centres’ joint venture partner in Bangkok, Megabangna shopping centre, will welcome more tenants in the second quarter of next year.
“Post pandemic, shoppers are now more aware, savvier, and have plenty of options to get what they need,” said Arnoud Bakker, commercial director at Ikano Centre. “This is why we have a heavy focus on designing a dynamic tenant mix to cater to specific needs.”
“We are also constantly on the lookout for new partnerships with tenants, platforms, and service providers that can create memorable experiences for our visitors.”
