Big hypermarket operators keen on MetroCity

Sunday, 15 January 2012 10:54

KUCHING: Chong Kia Hoi Realty Group is negotiating with three international brand hypermarket chain operators to operate Sarawak’s biggest hypermarket in MetroCity, its flagship integrated new township development in Matang.

CKH Realty Group chairman and managing director Chong Kia Hoi said the three chain operators were the industry’s “big names”, having several stores in Peninsular Malaysia, and that they were keen to expand their retail network to Sarawak. He declined to name the operators.

“Hopefully, we can seal the deal in two to three months,” Chong told StarBizWeek.

Tesco, Carrefour and Giant are the major foreign hypermarket and supermarket retail chain operators in Malaysia. Giant has spread its wings to Sarawak, opening two hypermarkets in Kuching, and one each in Sibu and Miri over the past six months.

Chong said an established local supermarket group had also expressed its interest in the proposed hypermarket.

He said the hypermarket would have a built-up area of between 120,000 and 150,000 sq ft, and 800 parking lots.

MetroCity is CKH Realty’s most ambitious project and the largest single integrated township development in Kuching City North, where the Sarawak administrative centre is located.

The two-phase development has a gross development value of RM970mil and spans 74ha.

Phase I will be a commercial precinct comprising 314 units of three/four shophouses priced between RM850,000 and RM2.5mil, a commercial hall that will house the hypermarket, two three-storey showrooms, a private medical centre and a 120-room hotel.

It will also feature a fast-food restaurant, a trade service entertainment cineplex centre, a private food court and an integrated bus transit terminal and taxi station.

Phase II will be a residential development with more than 1,000 houses of various types.

Chong said more than 80% of the shophouses had been sold since their launch about three months ago.

“The entire development is expected to take eight to 10 years, and it will be financed with internal funding,” he said.

From The Star