Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore to Open in Spring 2022 CCC and Sojitz Establish Joint Venture to Develop Franchise Business in Malaysia

2022.01.05 Press Releases
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. / Sojitz Corporation

-Aiming to create a new type of bookstore, propose lifestyles, and create culture-

Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. (CCC) and Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) have established a joint venture (the JV) to operate a franchise business in Malaysia (the local area) for the Tsutaya Bookstore and TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE (TBS) franchise chains operated by CCC in Japan. The joint venture aims to create a new type of local bookstore, proposing a new lifestyle and creating a new culture.

The joint venture has now signed a franchise agreement with a local member company and plans to open "Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore"* in spring 2022, the first Tsutaya Bookstore in an ASEAN member state, within the newly opened commercial facility "Pavilion Bukit Jalil" in December 2021.

*English name: "BUKIT JALIL TSUTAYA BOOKS"

■ Concept of "Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore"
"Cultivate Lifestyle & Culture"
Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore is a large, complex bookstore that offers lifestyle suggestions based on the concept of "Cultivate Lifestyle & Culture."With a large "BOOK & CAFE" at its core, we aim to create a space that inspires all our customers. The concept of "Cultivate" also means to "cultivate (character, habits, etc.)" and "deepen (acquaintances and relationships)," and we will provide a "local community base" where customers can gather in a relaxing space.

■Background of expansion
Malaysia has the third highest per capita GDP among ASEAN member states as of 2021, and its real GDP growth rate is predicted to be 5.5% to 6.5% in 2022 (Source: Malaysian Ministry of Finance, October 2021).The country has a population of approximately 32.7 million. Additionally, Malaysian consumer purchasing power continues to grow along with average household income. Malaysia is home to a high proportion of young people and many people who are highly conscious of lifestyle, and is a country that is expected to grow further in the future, which is why we decided to enter the country.

■Store area
Bukit Jalil, where Tsutaya Bookstore will be located, is located in the southern part of the local capital, Kuala Lumpur. With a well-developed expressway and train network, it has good access to the city center and the airport, and is a popular residential and commercial area with a rapidly growing population. While development is still ongoing, the area is also surrounded by greenery and educational institutions such as universities and parks, making it similar to Futako Tamagawa in Japan. The store design and product planning for Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore is being carried out with new families in their 20s to 40s as its main target.

■ Commercial facilities

■ Future outlook
The joint venture will focus on planning and operating the first local store, "Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore," and will promote the opening of "Tsutaya Bookstore" and "TBS" stores locally as its core business, with an eye toward expanding into other ASEAN member states. Furthermore, the joint venture will utilize its unique know-how to develop and renovate commercial facilities, aiming to increase the value of local commercial facilities.

■ Positioning of this project

CCC is promoting overseas store expansion, and has already opened six "TBS" stores in Taiwan, four "Tsutaya Bookstores" and one "TBS" store in China. The establishment of this joint venture is the first step in our efforts to promote store openings in ASEAN member states.

<Sojitz>
With over 20 years of experience in developing, renovating, and operating retail properties in Japan, Sojitz is currently expanding its retail business within the ASEAN region, including planning a Japanese restaurant floor at Lot 10, a commercial facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which opened and operated in January 2018. Sojitz will utilize its overseas network to further strengthen its retail business, including commercial facilities, through this project.

About Pavilion Bukit Jalil
Located in the heart of Bukit Jalil, Pavilion Bukit Jalil will transform southern Kuala Lumpur into a next-generation urban lifestyle and retail hub, making it the perfect destination for those seeking a new lifestyle. Pavilion Bukit Jalil will have a total sales area of approximately 167,225m² and will establish itself as a lifestyle-oriented commercial complex offering vibrant shops, enticing gourmet food and innovative recreational activities.

[Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore Overview]
■Store location: Pavilion Bukit Jalil, No. 2, Persiaran Jalil 8, Bandar Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur
■Products: Books, stationery, miscellaneous goods, art, cafe
■Store area: Approximately 2,650 m2 or more
■Scheduled opening: Spring 2022

*The above is the current plan and may be subject to change before the opening.

【Company Profile】
■Company name: TSUTAYA BOOKS Malaysia Sdn.Bhd
■Location: Level 23, Menara IMC, No8, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
■ Managing Director: Hideyuki Uemoto　

Materials related to this matter

Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Bookstore to open in spring 2022. CCC and Sojitz establish joint venture to operate franchise business in Malaysia.

Inquiries regarding this matter
[Contact for media inquiries regarding this matter]
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. Public Relations Office　
TEL: 03-6800-4764 MAIL: tsutaya_pr@ccc.co.jp
Sojitz Corporation Public Relations Department TEL: 03-6871-3404

[Contact for inquiries regarding this project]
tsutayabooks_malaysia@ccc.co.jp

[Pavilion Bukit Jalil website]