KUALA LUMPUR: Mercato, a supermarket under GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, aims to open six stores nationwide by year-end.
It opened its fifth store in Great Eastern Mall yesterday and will be opening its final store for the year soon at Sunway Putra Mall.
"I think we've done pretty well in this pandemic climate with everything close, and we have to be careful and not move around too much.
"So, after our sixth store we'll be taking a bit of a break; it's been a busy year and we have to look after our customers and employees as well, and make sure everyone stays safe," said Mercato director of store operations for Malaysia and Singapore Mark Scates.
Despite the pandemic changing the way people shop, Scates said Mercato did not intend to move to online operations, as shopping habits were beginning to change again as people start to go out more.
He believes that when it comes to buying groceries such as produce, meats and seafood, Mercato shoppers still prefer going themselves to see and feel the items.
The store in Great Eastern Mall boasts a new ambience with several improvements in its interior including better lighting, wider aisles and better arrangement of products.
It is also addressing Malaysians' increasing health-consciousness by collaborating with Rawsome healthy food chain on a Do-It-Yourself Salad bar, as well as introducing a new nut roasting machine and health drink.
"We listened closely to our customers' needs for more imported, curated products as well as a premium experience, and stepped up with the opening of Mercato Great Eastern Mall," said Scates.
The Great Eastern Mall store was previously occupied by a Cold Storage, but in line with the company's dedication to meeting customer demands, it upgraded the store.
Mercato also relaunched its store in Hartamas Shopping Centre with new branding and store refurbishment.
GCH is also the operator of Giant hypermarkets and supermarkets chain, TMC, Cold Storage, Mercato and Giant Mini.