KUALA LUMPUR: Lotuss Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Lotus's Malaysia) today has launched its first flagship store in Kepong, the first of 62 stores across the country to undergo transformation following the acquisition of Tesco business in Malaysia by Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) last December.
Lotus's Malaysia president Kenneth Chuah said in the coming months, customers will begin to see more stores progressively being rebranded with the Lotus's green and yellow.
"The transformation goes beyond just a change of look but focuses on creating smart living experiences that delight one's heart every day," he told the media at the launch of Lotus's Malaysia in Kepong today.
CP Group, a Thailand conglomerate based in Bangkok, operates across various industries ranging from agricultural, industrial to service sectors.It currently operates 14 business groups and has investments in 21 countries and economies.
Chuah said its parent company CP Group operates on the basis of three benefits principle, whereby the company seeks to benefit the country, society and company.
"CP Group's investment here in this country will bring opportunities for customers, suppliers and potentially new suppliers of Lotus's Malaysia.
"These benefits are not just limited to corporate expansion but also in the realms of sustainability where we seek to further incorporate sustainable practices in our business and the communities we operate in," he said.
Meanwhile, Chuah said Lotus's stores are committed to support the government's 2018-2030 roadmap towards zero single use plastic and will phase out single use plastic carrier bags at the checkouts.
He said Lotus's Malaysia has seen increasingly encouraging behaviours exemplified in the Kepong store in recent years and the company is confident that the plan would accelerate the positive behaviour by customers to use reusable bags when shopping.
After Lotus's Kepong, the retailer is set to launch its second and third flagship stores in Penang and Johor in May.
Collectively, it is targeting to rebrand 15 stores namely Ara Damansara, Cheras, Selayang, IOI City, The Mines, Bandar Bukit Puchong, Klang, Mutiara, Paradigm, Puchong, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Bukit Indah, Plentong, and Seremban 2 by June.
Lotus's expects to rebrand all 62 stores by year-end.
Lotus's inclusion into the CP Group also means greater variation offering of sister company, CP Food's ready-to-eat meals.