The company is also expecting a swift biz recovery with the encouraging number of sales to-date since the reopening of economy 

By AZALEA AZUAR / Pic Source sunwaycarnival.com

SUNWAY Malls have seen an increase of 80% and 90% sales last month, and they expect the number to sustain till the year-end festivity. 

The company expects a swift business recovery with the encouraging number of sales to-date since the reopening of economy. 

Sunway Malls yesterday announced the RM500 million expansion of Sunway Carnival Mall in Penang. 

The expansion exercise will see the mall doubling its retail space to one million sq ft from the current 500,000 sq ft with a confirmed occupancy of 95% to date. 

The mall expansion, which was scheduled to open on April 1, 2022, is expected to attain 100% occupancy by the second half of 2022. It also anticipates annual visitation to reach 12 million once completed. 

According to Sunway Malls and Theme Parks CEO HC Chan, this move would further solidify their retail footprint in an ordered region through the expansion that comes at a time when the world is still confronted with the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the softened and dampened retail market. 

“We believe that a long-term, progressive and visionary view is needed. In some ways, rebates are highly optimistic in the long-term potential of the Penang retail market,” he said. 

“Given such strong fundamentals, we need to be well prepared and well-read. When normalcy returns, the pandemic will one day pass suit,” Chan said, adding that the expansion would create 1,500 job opportunities for the local community. 

“Sunway Carnival will incorporate energy-efficient measures like solar panels, efficient chillers, 100% LED lighting on many other Sunway malls, and place stroke advocacy on sustainability,” Chan added. 

With a total of thirteen theatres, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) will be opening its largest cinema in the northern region at Sunway Carnival in April 2022. 

GSC is one of the few tenants that has been announced for the mall’s latest extension. 

GSC CEO Koh Mei Lee said they are very proud to be part of Sunway Carnival’s new transformation to becoming “The Mall of The Future”. 

“Having been a tenant for more than 14 years, we’ve seen the mall grow from strength to strength along with its tenants and this is because Sunway malls have always been very progressive, and they’ve innovated and evolved with the times to reflect the modern lifestyle. 

“With the newly relaunched Sun- way Carnival, we are pleased to add that we will be increasing the number of screens by five,” she said during the virtual announcement of the mall’s new tenants yesterday. 

The tenants include a mix of international, regional and local retail brands such as Jaya Grocer, JD Sports, Bath & Body Works, Innisfree, Laneige, Victoria Secret and more. The number of the shops is expected to rise by 60% from 220 shops to 350 shops. 

Sunway Carnival GM Chai Wen Yew said the company aims to create a wholesome lifestyle experience as engaging, interactive and elevator for everyone to enjoy no matter their preference, brick-and-mortar will still be the relevant post-pandemic. 

“In line with our Sunway sustainability goals, the essential Sun- way Carnival will most definitely incorporate substantial environmental sustainability features and we look forward to Green Mark Gold Plus rating. 

“We’ll also be adopting Sunway Mall’s cashless payment system to ensure convenience, a quick entry essay for our community whenever they visit us, or you know, some equilibrium or is the celebration of life throughout the generation,” he said.