Plan for 4th Debenhams store in Malaysia

British department store Debenhams' master franchaisee, Stellar Retail Sdn Bhd, which has invested RM13 million (US$4 million) in 3 stores - 2 in the Klang Valley and one in Penang which opens today - is considering cities such as Malacca and Johor Baru besides the Klang Valley.

"Shopping malls and landlords have also approached us to open our stores in Alor Star and Iskandar Malaysia," its managing director Andy Jackson said during a media preview of its RM4 million (US$1.2 million) outlet at Gurney Paragon Mall.

Present were Debenhams international operations director Phil Topham and international designer Henry Holland.

Topham said the Penang outlet will be Debenhams' first store in Malaysia to incorporate media players and television screens to make shopping a more interactive experience.

"Penang is economically strong. We are optimistic about opening more stores in this country."

Debenhams entered Malaysia in 2008 and has outlets at Starhill Gallery and The Curve in Mutiara Damansara.