The mall the merrier? Not quite simple for retail operators like Mustafa setting up shop in Johor Bahru

He pointed out how some JB stores, like Mid Valley Southkey, have completely changed the retail landscape by opening locations like craft businesses and international clothing brands that have” attracted audiences from across the Causeway.” & nbsp,

According to Mr. Tan’s study, the Johor Bahru retail business is” bucking the pattern” of wholesale decline in Malaysia as a result of the influx of Singaporeans into the shops, which he estimates to be around 40, 000 per day.

He predicted that when it begins operations, the upcoming Singapore-Johor RTS Link project, which is scheduled for completion in the end of 2026 and aims to connect Bukit Chagar to Woodlands in Singapore, had twice the number of financial visitors to the city’s malls.

Now, the Causeway between Johor and Singapore sees an average daily crossing of 320, 000 persons.

Stores like Mid Valley Southkey and Toppen Shopping Center, which is connected to Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, are her family’s” go-to decisions ,” according to Singaporean teacher Mdm Nur Hafizah.

She claimed that because so many malls in JB have improved the kind and caliber of their offerings since the COVID-19 crisis, she did not enjoy going there as much as she does now.

” Formerly, it was very monotonous; we would do the grocery shopping, make the necessary purchases, and then return home.” However, according to Mdm Nur Hafizah, many of these stores today offer amenities like an indoor playground for kids, rock climbing, and fine dining.

She continued,” Visiting these stores have become full-day politics.”

Surplus STIFLES JB Store

However, observers noted that while Johor Bahru’s financial scene is appealing for customers and investors, it is also plagued by problems with layers title ownership and a lack of inventory.

According to Mr. Soo’s studies, Johor Bahru has 19.3 million square feet of retail space, including malls and hypermarkets, which is equivalent to more than 11.2 % per person. & nbsp,

According to Mr. Soo,” By explanation, this means an oversupply of wholesale place ,” adding that the Klang Valley’s malls collectively occupy 77 million square feet, or 9 square foot per capita. & nbsp,

He continued by saying that because Johor Bahru offers such a wide variety of shopping mall options, customers will be more choosy and selective about which one to browse, and those with subpar infrastructure, location, or concept will eventually lose their appeal.

” Retail is a zero-sum game, and the particle does not represent the general market’s victory.” According to Mr. Soo, great malls will draw while poor ones fail. & nbsp,

He explained why shops in Johor Bahru’s cities are unlikely to attract the right number of customers while those near the Causeway borders with a variety of international manufacturers are more likely to succeed. & nbsp,

P. Ruventhiran, a Malaysian who resides in Skudai and works in Singapore, expressed doubt to CNA that Mustafa would be able to thrive with nearby mall stores like Mydin.

He continued by saying that Mustafa’s potential location, Capital City Mall, is less well-liked by the local populace because some would prefer the” all-in-one” financial innovations provided by Chinese retailer AEON. & nbsp,