BATU KAWAN, 26 Sept 2023:
With iconic brand recognition of Ikea underpinning new developments at Batu Kawan, overlooking Penang’s second bridge link, the related Klippa shopping centre is firmly weaving its way into the hearts of residents nearby while attracting patrons from beyond its immediate vicinity.
During a recent media briefing, Ikano Centres brand experience and communications head Natasha Aziz explained: “Klippa envisions itself to be more than just as shopping centre, we have the ambition for Klippa to become the hub of the growing Batu Kawan township.”
While Klippa opened in 2019 with only 80,000 sq ft of gross leasable area, she said the mall area has expanded to 675,000 sq ft with 40 tenants.
Boasting a healthy occupancy rate of 98%, she noted that Klippa should no longer be viewed as being within a confined building. Natasha said the shopping concept includes standalone drive-thru premises for those on-the-go, plus the traditional brick-and-mortar outlets for a more leisurely patronage.
The recent external outlets added to Klippa are fastfood chains of A&W, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Kenny Roger’s Roasters, KFC, McDonald’s and Starbucks. Natasha said the next few months will see the arrival of a Caltex petrol station to cater for this underserved community, together with the first Decathlon store in mainland Penang.
She noted that as Ikano Centres’ meeting destination in North Malaysia, Klippa aspires to be more than just a retail destination.
“It embodies the spirit of a welcoming friend, reflecting the brand’s vision of building meaningful connections. Derived from a Swedish word that encompasses both ‘rock’ and ‘friend’, our ‘Klippa Kan Kawan’ campaign’s goal is to create fun, exciting, and convenient experiences on every visit.
“The centre offers a variety of snacking options, cosy hangout spots, and budget-friendly meal deals for students and working professionals at tenants like Kejap Food, XiXiang Kaya Kopitiam, Zus Coffee, and more.
“For families residing in the area, Klippa offers a variety of essential home-focused tenants, including Mr DIY Plus and Harvey Norman. Moreover, the centre houses a full-fledged supermarket, TMG Plus, known for its extensive selection of fresh groceries and dry goods.”
Promising more attractions ahead for patrons, she added: “For the last quarter of 2023, Klippa will introduce exclusive promotions, and special offers that will make shopping experiences at the centre even more rewarding. Stay tuned for exciting weekday deals across our many tenants.”