(From left) Mah, Toh, Ng, Aruldoss, Teo, Tan, Bushy Martin and Lau at the store launch at 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya.
Australian retailer Harvey Norman is looking to open 52 more stores in Malaysia over the next six years.
Harvey Norman Asia managing director Kenneth Aruldoss said the company was looking for locations for its new stores nationwide.
“We are going to have some (stores) standalone,” he said after the launch of Harvey Norman’s 28th store in the country at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.
Aruldoss said the new stores would be in the Klang Valley, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; Kuching, Sarawak; Penang, Kuantan, Pahang; Johor, Melaka and Alor Star, Kedah.
Location and demographics are the main factors being considered in its expansion plans, he said.
The retailer is also exploring environmentally friendly products for its stores next year.
Currently, Aruldoss said, it has been introducing more energy-efficient products on its shelves.
He said the company was exploring ways to further improve in the area of recycling.
“We also expect a double-digit growth in sales next year,” he added.
Harvey Norman lead general manager Eddy Ng said the company spent between RM5mil and RM6mil for its new 1 Utama store.
“We believe that it attracts different sets of customers.
“We are targeting more middle-income to higher-income earners for this store,” Ng added.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Harvey Norman, a global retail icon from Australia and leading household name in Malaysia to 1 Utama, “ said the shopping centre’s director Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok.
The Harvey Norman 1 Utama Superstore occupies a floor space of over 30,000sq ft, offering a comprehensive range of electrical appliances, computers, furniture and bedding products from top global brands.
Also present at the launch were Harvey Norman chief operating officer Jonathan Toh, furniture division general manager Mark Mah, chief finance officer Tan Swee Ing, electrical division general manager Ian Bushy Martin as well as computers and corporate division general manager Danny Lau.
