SEBERANG JAYA: Penang's retail scene receives a major boost with the opening of the newly-completed Sunway Carnival Mall's RM500 million expansion project.
Since the start of the expansion and refurbishment in 2018, Sunway Carnival Mall has doubled its retail space to one million square feet, with an anticipated annual visitation and footfall to reach 12 million by year end.
The newly-expanded Sunway Carnival Mall is committed to an occupancy of 95 per cent, with more to come in its official launch.
Sunway Malls and Theme Parks chief executive officer HC Chan said the soft opening of Sunway Carnival Mall marked an important milestone for the company.
He said the expansion was one of the ways it looked to deliver an elevated offering to meet the needs of lifestyle shoppers.
"As borders reopened and we returned to welcoming shoppers from the community, out of state and even international visitors, we hope that this new transformation of the mall will provide them with a sense of excitement, belonging and give them more to discover with us.
"The retail industry has seen a revival in the past year, and we hope to contribute to them in the best way we know how - by innovating and providing experiential shopping for all," he said at Sunway Carnival Mall's soft opening here today.
As Malaysia moved towards the endemic phase this past month, Chan said Sunway Mall was optimistic about the revival of the retail market in Penang.
"Sunway is planning a retail mall on Penang island and Ipoh next. At Sunway, we always strive to take the leadership position," he added.
Sunway Carnival Mall will continue to refurbish the remaining portions of the mall for a more seamless and refreshed look, targetting total completion in the fourth quarter four of 2022.
The RM500 million expansion now accommodates a total of 350 shops and an expanded parking area with as many as 3,200 parking bays.
Home to a host of first stores in Penang mainland and Penang, shoppers can now enjoy an enhanced experience with large format stores ranging from international, regional and local retail brands.
This includes Jaya Grocer, JD Sports, Uniqlo, HaiDiLao, Kaison, the largest 13-screen GSC cinemas in the northern region, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Swarovski, Pandora, GUESS, Superdry, Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret and Charles & Keith.
Keeping in line with Sunway's sustainability commitment, Sunway Carnival is one of the first in the region to be given a Green Mark Gold Plus rating.
This was awarded to the mall due to its active use of energy saving facilities, parking guidance system and cashless system - which are not only friendly to the environment, but also provide convenience and safety to the shoppers.
In place of printed display units is a total of 3,331 square feet of LED surfaces throughout the mall, which includes a magnificent five-sided LED screen in the Main Atrium.
The mall is equipped with various family-friendly facilities such as a kid's toilet, baby room with private nursing rooms for shoppers' convenience and a children's play area.
It also has a calm room, known as the Autsome Room, that comes with facial recognition feature for the autism community and their families.
In conjunction with the expansion's soft opening, Sunway Carnival Mall is organising various activities to liven up the festivities and reward shoppers for choosing to visit the mall.