The largest shopping mall in Malaysia, 1 Utama Shopping Centre has soft-launched the first Korean themed retail zone in the country. The venture is driven by the popularity of K-Pop and K-Drama among Malaysians especially the youth. Dubbed as District K, the four-level retail zone is located at the “1 Utama E” new extension of the mall, which focuses on sports tourism, entertainment and F&B offerings. Phase one of 1 Utama E which was open to public in 2018 offers two sports tourism activities, first of its kind in Malaysia, known as FlowRider (a simulated wave generator featuring sheet wave technology designed in the US for flowboarding, bodyboarding and surfing); and AirRider (an indoor skydiving wind tunnel for simulated sky diving).
District K features an authentic Korean street experience across its 80,000 sq ft area, highlighting several attractions such as a Korean artiste meet and greet viewing gallery, performance and hologram theatre, augmented entertainment, famous Korean restaurants, retail, skincare and beauty. The retail zone is expected to be completed by end of 2019 with an investment value of MYR 120 million (USD 29.3 million).
The Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (popularly known as PPK Malaysia) recently signed an MoU with the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to enhance mutual trade collaboration and co-operation and help bring in new franchise opportunities of Korean companies to shopping malls in Malaysia.
(Sources : The Edge Markets, The Edge Property)