Guardian to open 30 new stores next year
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Guardian Health and Beauty (Guardian Malaysia) plans to open between 25 and 30 new stores next year as it embarks on an aggressive expansion plan to further strengthen its position in the domestic health and beauty retail market.
Chief Executive Officer Peter J Dove said besides the new stores opening, the company would also refurbish 70 stores, as well as, close 15 existing stores which are less performing.
At present, Guardian Malaysia has 430 outlets nationwide and commands a 30 per cent market share in the health and beauty segment.
“Domestically, the current retail market is tough and demand is soft, so we have conducted a research and come out with a new concept, which is aligning products with shoppers’ demand, and then see the customers’ response,” Dove told Bernama after launching Guardian’s concept store in Kuala Lumpur City Centre Sunday.
The retailers in the pharmacy and personal care sub-sector are expecting to record an 11.4 per cent growth in the third quarter of 2016.
Guardian Malaysia also plans to implement the same concept store idea for 10 out of its 40 top stores nationwide.
“We will also introduce and aggressively go into e-commerce next year to reach more customers,” he said, but declined to disclose the investment allocation to develop the new e-commerce platform and new concept stores.
Meanwhile, the new concept store incorporates shopper-friendly features including a “Make Me Up” corner, which focuses on addressing the needs of shoppers, highlight the latest cosmetics products and trend, as well as, offer a semi-private area for product trials.
Guardian Malaysia has also expanded its range of new international and local brands, as well as, spearhead the first modern trade pharmacy initiative with the listing of traditional Chinese herbal health products.
Questions & Answers
Q.Why is Guardian Malaysia embarking on an aggressive expansion plan despite a tough retail market?
Why is Guardian Malaysia embarking on an aggressive expansion plan despite a tough retail market?
Guardian has conducted research and developed a new concept to align products with shoppers' demand. They hope this new approach will help them strengthen their position and see a positive customer response in the domestic health and beauty retail market.
Q.What is the new concept for Guardian stores, and how will it be implemented?
What is the new concept for Guardian stores, and how will it be implemented?
The new concept incorporates shopper-friendly features like a 'Make Me Up' corner for cosmetic trials and addressing shopper needs. Guardian plans to implement this concept in 10 of its 40 top stores and also open new concept stores.
Q.Beyond physical store changes, what other strategic initiatives will Guardian Malaysia introduce next year?
Beyond physical store changes, what other strategic initiatives will Guardian Malaysia introduce next year?
Next year, Guardian Malaysia plans to introduce and aggressively enter e-commerce to reach more customers. They will also expand their range of international and local brands, and list traditional Chinese herbal health products.