Metro

Sunday July 26, 2009

Join the sale-bration

BY FARIDAH BEGUM and JEREMY TAN


What better time to indulge in a little retail therapy than during the current Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival.

THE Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, an annual event held mid-year, is a welcome break to the humdrum of everyday shopping. And in light of the current gobal economic situation, coupled with the outbreak of the A (H1N1) flu, it is also a boon for those who would otherwise fly off to New York, London, Paris, Milan and other shopping hotspots.

In line with the carnival atmosphere of the mega sale, shopping malls throughout the country are now decked out to the nines to attract shoppers.

Shopping glee: Gurney Plaza offers more than 300 specialty shops within 78,094sqm of retail space spread over seven floors.

The offers are all equally tempting, so what would draw more people to one mall rather than the other? Facilities? Ease of access? Special events and promotions?

Over the next few weeks, Sunday Metro will feature various shopping malls to highlight what they have on offer.

Klang Valley

Mention Sunway and most of us would immediately think of Sunway Lagoon, one of the favourite theme parks in Malaysia. However, the shopping mall here, Sunway Pyramid, is equally illustrious, if not more so, thanks to its expansion in recent years and the more than 800 tenants under its roof.

Before we go any further, a word of advice: wear sneakers, flip flops or low-heeled sandals if you plan to check out the whole mall. This place is HUGE! Fortunately, there are benches scattered about that will provide respite for tired feet.

This time around, Sunway Pyramid has adopted the theme Street Sale-bration and added an international flavour through its Streets of the World tag.

Inspired by the pyramids of Giza: Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre in Bandar Sunway, Selangor, is also having a Home Living Fair.

Various fashion and beauty outlets; the Malaysian favourite, Asian Avenue, which offers affordable fashion; Marrakesh with its Middle Eastern theme; and dining venues are taking part in the sale.

As MasterCard is the official card for the Mega Sale, those who spend RM200 or more on it can redeem a free Sunday Lagoon ticket from the Concierge counters at the main entrances.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the Sunway mascot will do a walkabout, giving out shopping vouchers between 1pm and 2pm and again from 5pm to 6pm.

Sunway Pyramid, with a view to the coming Hari Raya festivities, is also having a Home Living Fair. Take this as a wonderful opportunity to browse for new items to add to your home as the goods are being sold at affordable prices and great mark downs.

And on Aug 30, you can shop for a few extra hours as the mall will be extending its hours to midnight.

Check it out: Some items are going at half price during the mega sale.

Shoppers who spend RM200 or more also have a chance to win trips to four local destinations or the Grand Price of a trip to Rome in the Sunway Pyramid Lucky Pick contest.

According to Sunway Pyramid Marketing Communications Manager, Darren Chear, the shopping mall is also very environment conscious and has begun a Bring Your Own Bag campaign.

On Tuesdays, if you bring your own shopping bag, you can enjoy free parking.

There are lots to do besides shopping, with pubs offering their own brand of a Weekend Happy Hour with more discounts and savings between 2pm and 8pm from Fridays to Sundays until the Mega Sale ends.

While shopping, don’t forget to look at your surroundings, which have been recently refurbished. Take in the Egyptian ambience and pay obeisance to the Sun in the yellow atrium or follow the river in the blue atrium into the purple atrium, and you will end up at the skating rink.

Penang

Sale fever is also high in Penang with the participation of the island’s premier shopping complexes, Queensbay Mall and Gurney Plaza.

Shop at the Pearl of the Orient’s largest and longest shopping complex, Queensbay Mall, and you might just win yourself a free meal. Shoppers who spend RM30 in a single receipt at any of the mall’s outlets will be entitled to participate in a lucky dip. The prize is a free meal treat at any of the mall’s food and beverage outlets, and there are more than 50 of them.

Among the many renowned dining establishments participating in the Free Food promotion are Dragon-i, Canton-i, Coffee Bean, Starbucks Coffee, DOME, Azuma, Sakae Sushi, Nando’s, The Chicken Rice Shop, Old Town, Kim Gary, Sushi King, Secret Recipe, Golden Triangle, Manhattan Fish Market and T.G.I Friday.

The more artistically inclined should also look out for the Shop & Sing Contest which will be held from Aug 20 to Sept 13. With every RM20 spent in a single receipt, you’re entitled to participate in a singing contest offering cash and exciting prizes worth up to RM40,000.

The contest is divided into four categories according to age: Category A (seven –12 years), Category B (13 – 17 years old), Category C (18 – 39 years) and Category D (above 40).

There are also awards for Best Costume and Best Sportsmanship, so come clad in your most creative and eye-catching outfit and you might just walk away with extra goodies.

On Merdeka eve, there’s a special Midnite Sale from 10.30pm to midnight.

“On top of the already unbelievable discounts, prices mall-wide will be knocked down further for a frantic 90-minute shopping spree,” said Queensbay Mall’s advertising and promotions manager Wendy Wong.

What’s more, every RM30 spent also entitles shoppers to a lucky dip, while the top midnight sale spender will take home a branded foot massager. There will also be an entertaining concert featuring local and international artistes and a host of stage games, topped off with an enchanting fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.

On the Merdeka weekend of Aug 28 to 31, there will be a Camera Fair, where photography enthusiasts will find leading brands going at bargain prices, and a Travel Fair offering affordable inbound and outbound holiday packages.

Gurney Plaza with its more than 300 specialty shops has also laid out the welcome mat with discounts of up to 70% mall-wide.

With the opening of its new wing last November, shoppers will find everything they need, whether it’s the latest fashion, toys, home furnishing or electrical appliances.

There are over 40 food and beverage outlets offering a host of cuisines and treats. If you don’t feel like shopping, you can simply stroll along the mall’s many pathways and the famed Gurney Drive promenade.

There are 27 great prizes worth over RM16,000 up for grabs in Gurney Plaza’s Mega Sale Lucky Draw. Just spend a minimum of RM50 (from a maximum of two combined receipts) from any store and proceed to the first floor customer service counter to redeem your lucky draw forms. If you’re a HSBC Credit Card holder, you can triple your chances.

“This is our way of thanking shoppers and rewarding them for shopping with us. With a complete tenant list, shoppers will find all their entertainment, food and fashion needs under one roof,” Gurney Plaza’s marketing communications manager Sharley Ooi said.

The weekly draws will be conducted on July 12, 19, 26 and Aug 2, 9, 16 and 23. Prizes include Akemi Comforters, cash vouchers, skin care products and a Swatch watch worth RM500.

For those who missed out on prizes during the weekly draws, there’s still 20 prizes up for grabs in the bonus draw, among them shopping vouchers worth RM3,000, a Gintell foot massager worth RM2,099, a Compaq laptop worth RM1,500, a Sony Handycam worth RM1,000 and much more.

There will also be a Merdeka Sale Merchandising Fair from July 31 to Aug 9 at the ground floor central atrium.

Even more good news for HSBC Credit Card holders – those who swipe their card during the Mega Sale Carnival at participating merchants will earn three times the rewards points. This is available exclusively at Gurney Plaza.

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