Timber Land to revolutionise retail in Malaysia’s Sarawak

Timber Land Group has big plans to revolutionise the retail experience in the state of Sarawak.

Leveraging Malaysia’s landmark Digital Free Trade Zone (DTFZ) project due for completion at the end of 2019, Timber Land Group intends to employ the boundless potential of e-commerce to revitalise the future of brick-and-mortar retail therapy.

The DTFZ is touted to play a crucial role within the ambitious Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP). However, some economists have warned that the platform will signal the gradual demise of retail shopping malls.

Led by managing director Kevin Choo, Timber Land Group is confident that far from curbing shopping malls, the gateway provided by the DTFZ and eWTP will provide a platform of infinite possibilities for the evolution of retail.

“Although the change may mean a positive increase in online transaction volume, it does not necessarily suggest a fatal disruption in traditional supply chains if we are ready and equipped to utilise the opportunities such a network will bring,” Choo says. The entrepreneur known to push boundaries was awarded the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award 2017 for the property development category in September for his broad-based experience in the development of residential and commercial projects, and his skill in navigating the uncertain terrain of property development in Sarawak.

Malaysia’s e-commerce market size for this year is pegged at about 24 billion Malaysian ringgit

(HK$44.3 billion). From this figure however, about 20 per cent comprises products-only online sales. Although online shopping has undeniably changed the way people fulfil their shopping needs, the nature of the digital world still poses sensory limitations to consumers concerned about product ergonomics.