Johor is set to attract even more shopaholics when the famous Premium Outlets opens in Kulaijaya come November 11, 2011 or 11.11.11. The chain discount store, offering branded items at discounts of between 25% and 65% year round is the first Premium Outlet store in Southeast Asia. The other stores outside of the US are located in Japan, Korea and Mexico.
Premium Outlets is a division of US-based Simon Property Group and is hugely popular in the US. The Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) is a 50:50 joint-venture between Simon Property and Genting Group’s 54.6%-owned subsidiary Genting Plantations Bhd.
This will add one more shopping venue to the many already in the state. Between 2005 – 2009, there were more shopping malls springing up in Johor than in the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur. The reason is clear – neighbour Singapore has citizens that have twice the purchasing power and strong inclinations to shop. Retail therapy has proven to be Singaporeans’ favourite chill-out activity at any age.
While Orchard Road caters more towards an international crowd, with imports from all over the world, Johor has a surprising variety that caters to all budgets, tastes and fancies. The 7 clear favourites are as follows:
Aeon Tebrau City – wins hands down as the clear favourite. It boasts a Tanjong Golden Village cineplex and about 200 retail shops that sell a diverse range of goods including branded clothing such as Top Shop, Guess and Calvin Klein Jeans as well as restaurants that serve an array of Western and Asian cuisine.
PLAZA ANGSANA
Catering predominantly to a Malay crowd, this mall comes alive during the fasting month of Ramadan and is busy during weekends and public holidays. It sells Malay traditional apparel such as baju kurung, tudung, baju Melayu, songkok, as well as traditional biscuits and cakes all year round.
CITY SQUARE
Conveniently located near the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) building and JB Sentral, this mall attracts shoppers everyday during opening hours. It has a Cineplex as well as retail shops selling all manner of goods such as clothing, accessories, gadgets, books, as well as a variety of restaurants.
DANGA STREET MALL
This mall is more well-known for its food served alfresco at Danga Bay, Jalan Skudai. It’s very popular at night and weekends.
DANGA CITY MALL
Head to this mall if you want to get IT equipment and accessories. There are many shops here selling laptops, tablets and other IT gadgets. Located at Jln Tun Razak, this mall frequently holds exhibitions at its spacious expo section.
PLAZA PELANGI, HOLIDAY PLAZA
Popular in the 80s, this mall still holds its own even with the onslaught of many new malls. There are many hair salons and boutiques here.
SUTERA MALL
Relatively new, this mall has about 250 retail shops offering boutiques, electrical items, health spas and a number of restaurants.
