It was
just 15 months ago when I witnessed the announcement on the development of
Toppen Shopping Centre by officials of IKEA Southeast Asia and I’m here again
to see for myself how this building is taking shape.
My view through this window is no longer a construction site but the facade of Toppen Shopping Centre! |
I’m
ushered into the back-of-the-house (not the retail floor) of IKEA Tebrau, back to
the same room where we first gathered for the announcement of Toppen Shopping
Centre which is anchored by IKEA Tebrau, the first IKEA store outside the Klang
Valley.
In this
room, my eyes are riveted to its glass-paneled windows where I saw through to
the towering cranes on the construction site some 15 months ago, but now this
is being replaced by the façade of the Toppen Shopping Centre!
With its
seamless integration with IKEA Tebrau and links with AEON Tebrau City, Toppen
is poised to become the meeting place and the heart of the surrounding
community.
Together
with IKEA Tebrau, Toppen is all set to create a fun and inspiring day out in
Southern Malaysia when it opens its
doors in November 2019.
Ariel view of the construction-in-progress at Toppen Shopping Centre, featuring The Topp, rooftop community. |
I take my
seat in front of the big screen where (I’m sure!) they will later present a
video of the building development thus far (and I was right).
While
waiting for the event to start, Elya Eusoff, the event Emcee (who remembers me
from the previous event) and I exchange comments about how the time has flown
and here we are again at this exciting juncture…
The event
opens with an introduction and we learn about how Toppen’s retail mix will
offer Johoreans and visitors to Johor, a complete retail experience with great
meeting places and spaces for family and friends to enjoy their time together.
Toppen
will boast of a rooftop community hub dubbed, The Topp, which is set
to attract visitors to a myriad of fresh retail, dining, e-sports and
entertainment experiences, in fact a complete retailtainment (if there is such a word!) in Southern Malaysia.
Shopping Centre & Mixed Use Director of IKEA Southeast Asia, Christian Olofsson |
The first-of-its-kind
in Malaysia, The Topp is a unique rooftop concept that features four distinct
zones for visitors from all walks of life.
These
interactive outdoor spaces will be complemented by over 30 Food & Beverage
specialty and alfresco outlets, a rooftop garden, multipurpose courts, skate
parks, a spacious piazza, kids’ playgrounds, a cinema, e-sports arena and even
a water play area!
“We are
passionate and driven to develop meeting places that become the heart and the
hub of the surrounding communities,” said Shopping Centre & Mixed Use
Director of IKEA Southeast Asia, Christian Olofsson.
“With the
community at the very heart of our strategy, we are confident that Toppen
together with IKEA Tebrau, will be a new retail landmark in South Malaysia, a
true meeting place where customers and businesses alike can flourish and grow,”
he added.
With
close to 85% of its retail space already leased out, the call to merchants who
want to be part of Toppen is to hurry up and secure a space here!
Then I
discover the exciting, new-to-Johor brands that will open in Toppen!
These are
Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G), The Pantheon, opening its second e-sports
area in Malaysia here, 9 to 9 – a
first-in-Malaysia online to offline (O2O) by Hush Puppies – and Concept Haus, a premium streetwear and athleisure retailer.
Among the
familiar brands coming to Toppen are TGV
Cinemas, Harvey Norman, Sports Direct, Burger King and Marrybrown, and a local brand with fresh concepts, 7 Oaks.
Brand representatives at the Key Handover ceremony |
My media
colleagues and I then witnessed the Key Handover in a simple ceremony with
several brand partners in this four-level shopping center.
Toppen is
projected to attract some 15 million visitors in 2020, not only from Johor and
its neighbouring states but also from nearby Singapore.
While
adding vibrancy to the economy, this shopping center will offer thousands of
business opportunities within the region and is set to create numerous jobs and
career opportunities for the community in Johor.
“We are
committed to creating market relevant shopping experiences that fit our
consumers’ lifestyles and we do this by consistently identifying opportunities
to improve the customer journey with new and in-demand tenants that reflect a
well-curated mix of retail, dining and entertainment concepts,” said Arnoud
Bakker, Head of Leasing, Southeast Asia of Ikano Centres, which is part of IKEA
Southeast Asia.
Head of Leasing, Southeast Asia of Ikano Centres, Arnoud Bakker |
“Co-creation
is something that we strongly believe in, not only for external relationships
but for the mall space as well because it allows each tenant to work together
and create a cohesive experience for the customers, while remaining diverse in
shopping selections,” he further explained.
From the
video screened, we saw the work-in-progress within the building and it was
impressive to learn that Toppen Shopping Centre had already received its Bomba or Fire Safety Certification since
May 2019.
IKEA
Southeast Asia has over 15 years of experience in developing, owning and
running successful IKEA stores and shopping centers in the region.
These
include IPC Shopping Centre and MyTOWN Shopping Centre in Malaysia and
Megabangna in Thailand.
With a
strong track record and global experience, IKEA Southeast Asia is confident
that very soon, Toppen Shopping Centre will be the meeting place and the heart
and hub of the Johor community.
The
commitment of IKEA Southeast Asia to the community is also seen from their
initiative to widen the roads and create an extra exit into the Tebrau Highway
to ease traffic flow within this area. [Construction is still in progress.]
After the
event and refreshments, we are directed to leave the building via the IKEA
Tebrau restaurant and through the store exit.
This
route will inevitably take me through part of the store and I’m happy for an
opportunity to browse around for any well-designed, functional, useful and
affordable knick-knack.
[It’s no
secret that IKEA is a store where I will always find something useful to buy.]
A view of the checkouts at IKEA Tebrau |
Then I
join a queue to pay and because the wait was getting too long, I look closer to
find out the reason why.
With two
customers ahead of me, I can watch how the cashier is dealing patiently with a
lady customer who seems to be having difficulty in payment – part by cash and part
by credit card – and she was getting increasingly agitated, to the point of
muttering under her breath.
After a
long transaction, she finally leaves the cashier with her purchases but not
before releasing a loud shout (that really startled us!) But she was really weird.
Then I
watch as the cashier deals professionally with the customer ahead of me,
keeping his cool and remaining unperturbed.
Then she
too changed her mind about buying certain items and this resulted in further
delay while the cashier again telephoned a colleague to amend the bill which
should be reversed.
Meanwhile,
I’m privately commending IKEA for their staff training and Standard Operating
Procedures to guide them in dealing with all types of customers.
With Zamri, my regular reader. |
I'm sure it’s all
in a day’s work for the cashier but I can understand if he is unduly stressed,
so my only wish is to complete my transaction smoothly and leave.
Then it’s
my turn. The cashier politely asks for my Member Card and parking ticket (to
endorse and waive payment!)
I pass
him my IKEA Member Card and parking ticket and when he reads my name, he looks
at me with recognition and declares, “You are that writer…”
After
observing the earlier drama, I’m pleasantly surprised at his
keen attention and I quickly respond in the affirmative, “Yes, I am.”
He goes
on to tell me that he’s been my reader since his schooldays… while my eyes zoom
in to his nametag which reads: Zamri and by then, my transaction has been
completed smoothly.
I’m more
than pleased to meet my regular readers and as I leave, I’m filled with a deep
sense of pleasure as he wishes me well along with encouragement to keep on
writing!
Thanks,
Zamri. This was indeed a memorable and meaningful outing to IKEA Tebrau for the
Toppen Shopping Centre event with IKEA Southeast Asia, and for me personally.