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Armed with new retail brands, Malaysia malls go all out to court shoppers

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Tan Ai Leng

Published Mon, Feb 20, 2023 · 05:50 AM

The first Paris Baguette outlet in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur opened in January 2023 and constantly sees long queues. PHOTO: TAN AI LENG
Analysts said shopping traffic may have returned to pre-pandemic levels, but occupancy and rental rates have yet to fully recover. PHOTO: TAN AI LENG
Malaysia's mall operators are reconfiguring their space and tenant mix to attract shoppers and improve their sales, including Starhill Gallery. PHOTO: TAN AI LENG
Taiwanese bookstore Eslite occupies 6,500 square metres of space at Starhill Gallery in KL. PHOTO: TAN AI LENG
The Eslite Spectrum bookstore from Taiwan at Starhill Gallery PHOTO: TAN AI LENG
The Italian jewelry brand Roberto Coin is one of the latest additions in Malaysia's retail landscape. PHOTO: TAN AI LENG

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[KUALA LUMPUR] After visiting her parents in Kuala Lumpur on the first day of the Chinese New Year last month, Mavis Ng – a 33-year-old accountant from Malaysia – headed to the city centre to pick up some pastries at the newly-opened Paris Baguette cafe at the Pavilion mall.

To her surprise, the downtown area, which is usually quiet during the Chinese New Year – at least for the first two or three days – was thronging with people.

“I couldn’t believe it. I waited nearly an hour to get a table” she told The Business Times.

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