The shopping scene in Malaysia has always been a lively and exciting affair, with numerous stores offering delightful ranges of items to satisfy the shopping appetite of Malaysians and tourists.
Pop into any one of the malls and you will find endless lines of amazing merchandise that promise to leave you in a whirl. You’ll find everything from sophisticated electrical equipment and hip accessories to ultra modern fashion wear, unusual knick-knacks and souvenir items.
The good news is that all this and more is easily affordable here in Malaysia, thanks to the friendly Ringgit! Be it exclusive branded ware or little fun items you pick off a street bazaar, you’ll see that the Ringgit works its magic each time. And speaking of branded goods, the big-city malls are packed with world-famous labels like Fendi, Versace, Dunhill, Hermes, Aigner, Armani and Christian Dior to name just a few. A smaller budget would lead you to popular local brands such as Sembonia, Vincci, Padini, British India etc. Even lower price tags are widely available all over the country in brightly lit stores in the malls and by the roadsides. If it’s bric-a-brac you’re looking for, then fear not- from coast to coast, Malaysia is crammed with bazaars and flea markets offering a host of unique and exciting goodies to bring home.
There is something for everyone here, however young or old. From elegant fashion designs and elite household items to hi-tech gadgets, books, toys and toolsyou can be assured of finding something to suit every pocket and every person.
Making the shopping landscape even more colourful is the multitude of activities and sales happening nationwide throughout the year. During the much popular Mega Sale Carnival, Malaysia GP Sales, Malaysia Year End Sales as well as the numerous individual store sale periods, shoppers can expect to feast on bargains, discounts and promotions.
So, if you’re holidaying in Malaysia, make it a point to drop in at our malls and stores- we guarantee you a shopping spree like no other!
- Labuan – Malaysia’s off-shore financial district is also climbing up in popularity as a duty free shopping destination. Stores selling cheap tobacco, alcohol, chocolates, electrical items, watches, cosmetics and fragrances are strewn all over its shopping district especially along Jalan OKK Awang Besar. Textiles are of special interest as well as exotic souvenirs like Chinese jade, ceramic ware and furniture.
- Tioman – duty free shops especially in Kampung Tekek, are stocked well enough with chocolates, tobacco, liquor and other souvenirs to often drag sun-seekers away from the palm-fringed beaches.
Perlis / Kedah – The border towns of Padang Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam in these northern states are popular duty free zones for travellers crossing the border into and out of Thailand. There is a store in each town selling a variety of tax-exempted items like chocolates, fragrances, liquor, cigarettes and clothes.
Perak – Given its proximity to the Cameron Highlands and the surrounding fruit orchards, visitors will find an abundance of fresh fruits here, particularly the ‘pomelo’. Perak is also famed for its lovely ‘Labu Sayong’ or gourd-shaped clay pottery that serve as water cisterns as well as decorative items. Off shore at Pangkor Island, dried seafood produce are popular buys. Mall shopping can be done in places like the Ipoh Parade, Greentown Mall and Kinta City Shopping Centre in Ipoh city.
Negeri Sembilan – The town of Nilai boomed overnight when it became a wholesale centre for numerous household items. The Nilai 1 section sells a hoard of things ranging from fine wood, rattan and bamboo furniture to textiles, household linens, décor objects and wedding paraphernalia. Nilai 3 is a separate section focussing on textiles alone. Not only is Nilai popular for its wide selection of products, it is also known for its very affordable, lower-thancity centre prices. In the town of Seremban the Jusco Seremban 2 Shopping Centre serves the main shopping needs of the locals.
Malacca – Much of Melaka’s charms lie in its rich range of antiques, curios and wonderful cuisine. Jonker Walk is simply a must for shoppers hunting down unusual souvenirs; here you’ll also be able to sample the famous ‘Nyonya’ food at sidewalk stalls and little cafes. Head for Dataran Pahlawan, Medan Samudera or the stalls along Jalan Merdeka for local handicrafts. Mahkota Parade and Dataran Pahlawan Mega Mall offer their share of local and foreign merchandise in a mall environment.
Johor – Johor Bahru’s malls like the City Square, Danga City Mall and Plaza Pelangi are popular not only with local shoppers but also with the mass of Singaporeans who visit daily. Don’t miss tax-free goods at The ZON Johor Bahru, a designated duty-free zone within the city. The little town of Ayer Hitam is worth stopping over for its jumble of pottery, ceramic, handicrafts, local snacks and fresh tropical fruits, while Tangkak town is well known for textiles and household linens.
Pahang – Pahang’s jungles provide for a wide range of forest products that the aboriginal community can be found selling en route to Cameron Highlands and other parts of the state. Head for the marketplace at Tanah Rata and buy from the stalls spilling over with multi-coloured blossoms and fresh farm produce of vegetables, honey and strawberries. Batik and handicrafts can be found in Kuantan while further south in Mersing, dried seafood produce is the main thing to look for. At the famous Genting Highlands, the First World Plaza with its stretch of apparel, accessories and souvenir outlets adds on to the fun in the city of entertainment.
East Coast (Kelantan / Terengganu) – These states are home to some of the best handicrafts and artwork in the country. Fine ‘batik’ and ‘songket’ in textile and apparel forms, graceful ‘wau’ or giant kites, delicate silver, brass and woodcraft and a whole lot of exotic foods like the famous ‘belacan’ and ‘budu’ can be found here.
Sarawak – The Land of the Hornbill offers souvenirs like pottery, beadwork, textiles (‘Pua Kumbu’), bamboo, rattan and wood work, reed baskets as well as other fascinating things like the salted ‘terubuk’ fish, layer cakes and the famed Sarawak pepper and pineapples. Most of these items can be bought at sidewalk stores or bazaars in Kuching, Sibu and Miri. The Boulevard Shopping Complex in Miri and The Spring, Crowne Plaza Shopping Complex, Crown Square and Tun Jugah Shopping Complex in Kuching city, offer a decent selection of local and imported goods.