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AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 8:51 pm
by Jacobincambodia
Have you seen this mall that is about to open? It's situated next to Sofitel on Sotheros Blvd. It's going to be huge and contain all name brands. Here's the website with tenant list. Pretty impressive! I'm not familiar with the Asian clothing brands, but the restaurants have definitely peeked my interest.

http://aeonmallphnompenh.com

Question is it sustainable? Japan sure thinks so! It will be interesting to watch the place grow. I assume the food court, restaurants and theatre will keep the place afloat. I know I can't afford a $100 shirt, but I can down a few coffees!

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 2:53 am
by General Mackevili
Jacobincambodia wrote:
Question is it sustainable?
Honestly, I'm usually pretty skeptical about new businesses/malls being started here, but I feel this will be a success. They don't seem to be half-doing it like many of the new places that are coming along.

TK Avenue is nice, but no room get expand or get nicer. They seem to be doing great.

Cambodians need a truly posh mall to shop at and drink their lattes at, without having to fly to Bangkok.

I haven't even seen the place, but if it looks half presentable, I think it will be an INSTANT hit here.

It will probably be home to Cambodia's first StarBucks. :twisted:

I for one will also be there, buying $6 coffees and window shopping for $100 t-shirts.

Nice shopping malls are one thing I really miss about Indonesia, Malaysia, redolent, Vietnam, etc...

Have you seen that nice attempt at a mall across the river in the peninsula? It's a total joke. Will years before they get more than 10 customers a day that don't just come to scarf down a Lucky's Burger after school.

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 5:38 am
by vladimir
It's going to seriously screw up the traffic in that area.

I can almost hear the freshie boy handbag snatchers drooling already...

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 7:01 am
by Bitte_Kein_Lexus
Looking at the list of vendors, it appears they have way too many food vendors. You definitely want a healthy food court, but usually it shouldn't overwhelm the mall. It should simply provide a place for shoppers to rest and eat before going on with their shopping. But it seems like just under 50% of the vendors are selling food. Not sure if that's sustainable. I counted 75 restaurants/coffee shops out of 186, which seems a bit high compared to western malls. Though admittedly, people in Cambodian malls tend to "buy" less than in western ones. A lot more window shopping is done. Either way, I don't see them "failing" as it's simply too big and will attract tons of Khmers who like to see shiny new things and modern foreigner-styled stores.

Did notice they'll have a Levi's shop, probably one of the first truly global clothing stores to open here (besides Adidas et al.). Should be interesting to check out after the initial opening rush. One place I hate is TK Avenue. That place is so lame. It's essentially a tiny strip mall where people go to take selfies and "cutecup" faces with their friends in front of trees or stores. Not sure if the tiny stores are selling enough products to get by. I suspect in the coming months we'll see a rotation of businesses. It's always full of people, but I hardly see anyone actually inside any of the smaller stores. Just bored vendors.

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 7:53 am
by Jacobincambodia
General Mackevili wrote:
Jacobincambodia wrote:
Question is it sustainable?
Honestly, I'm usually pretty skeptical about new businesses/malls being started here, but I feel this will be a success. They don't seem to be half-doing it like many of the new places that are coming along.

TK Avenue is nice, but no room get expand or get nicer. They seem to be doing great.

Cambodians need a truly posh mall to shop at and drink their lattes at, without having to fly to Bangkok.

I haven't even seen the place, but if it looks half presentable, I think it will be an INSTANT hit here.

It will probably be home to Cambodia's first StarBucks. :twisted:

I for one will also be there, buying $6 coffees and window shopping for $100 t-shirts.

Nice shopping malls are one thing I really miss about Indonesia, Malaysia, redolent, Vietnam, etc...

Have you seen that nice attempt at a mall across the river in the peninsula? It's a total joke. Will years before they get more than 10 customers a day that don't just come to scarf down a Lucky's Burger after school.
I don't think the Japanese would make that big of an investment if they didn't believe it would be sustainable. But it's hard to look past Soriya and the other half-hearted malls in the city. This one will be in its own league!

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 7:54 am
by Jacobincambodia
vladimir wrote:It's going to seriously screw up the traffic in that area.

I can almost hear the freshie boy handbag snatchers drooling already...
True! That street sucks already. They need to widen it to two lanes.

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 7:58 am
by Jacobincambodia
Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote:Looking at the list of vendors, it appears they have way too many food vendors. You definitely want a healthy food court, but usually it shouldn't overwhelm the mall. It should simply provide a place for shoppers to rest and eat before going on with their shopping. But it seems like just under 50% of the vendors are selling food. Not sure if that's sustainable. I counted 75 restaurants/coffee shops out of 186, which seems a bit high compared to western malls. Though admittedly, people in Cambodian malls tend to "buy" less than in western ones. A lot more window shopping is done. Either way, I don't see them "failing" as it's simply too big and will attract tons of Khmers who like to see shiny new things and modern foreigner-styled stores.

Did notice they'll have a Levi's shop, probably one of the first truly global clothing stores to open here (besides Adidas et al.). Should be interesting to check out after the initial opening rush. One place I hate is TK Avenue. That place is so lame. It's essentially a tiny strip mall where people go to take selfies and "cutecup" faces with their friends in front of trees or stores. Not sure if the tiny stores are selling enough products to get by. I suspect in the coming months we'll see a rotation of businesses. It's always full of people, but I hardly see anyone actually inside any of the smaller stores. Just bored vendors.
Have u been to malls in Thailand and Malaysia? They seem like they have an abundance of food courts too. I wonder if they take that approach because that's what most Cambodians can actually afford, plus it's proven with western chains all over Phnom Penh. I know for some stores, they are just re-locating to a more central location. Levi for example is at Lucky Department Store and Adidas and Puma, they also have locations around the city. I'm sure they will shut down a location or two once the mall gets on it's feet.

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 7:59 am
by Jacobincambodia
When my wife and I went to Bangkok for our first child, we loved just walking the malls. Good exercise and fun window shopping, plus good food! I'm looking forward to the theatre too.

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 10:23 am
by giblet
I was really hoping there would be a Uniqlo when they opened, but apparently not. Not much in the way of apparel, but maybe more will come once they are open. Very excited about the Daiso, though!

Re: AEON Mall Phnom Penh Opening 20 June

Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 12:19 pm
by dagenham
General Mackevili wrote:
I haven't even seen the place, but if it looks half presentable, I think it will be an INSTANT hit here.

It will probably be home to Cambodia's first StarBucks. :twisted:
So...are you Brad the marketing guy who did that guerrilla t-shirt marketing campaign? Great idea by the way - very impressive! You must be to know that the first Starbucks is coming to the mall...glad to meet you...finally!