This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on June 18, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Jesselton Duty-Free, which boasts a retail space of 37,000 sq ft in the seafront mall of Jesselton Mall in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, has opened its doors.

Jesselton Duty-Free, which brings to the Kota Kinabalu city centre an innovative shopping experience featuring luxury beauty, fashion and timepiece brands, is a collaboration between Valiram, Southeast Asia’s leading luxury goods and retail specialist, and Jesselton Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd, a Sabah-based property developer.

“International travellers can now shop for prestige brands such as Michael Kors and Tumi, choose a timepiece from luxury watch brands such as IWC or Omega in multi-brand store Swiss Watch Gallery, pick a designer scent or even browse the finest chocolates, teas and souvenirs — all at duty-free prices whilst experiencing the marvels of this unique and revolutionary mall downtown,” Valiram said in a statement.

Jesselton Duty-Free is located at the ground floor of Jesselton Mall — which Valiram described as the first downtown travel retail concept in Sabah that offers international travellers an opportunity to shop in a duty-free environment. The collaboration also introduces Kota Kinabalu to a number of new luxury brands such as YSL Beauty, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Whoo, Versace, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Lacoste, the retail specialist added.

“Valiram continues to invest in Sabah and is excited with the opening of our latest venture. This exception offering redefines the shopping experience for tourists in Kota Kinabalu,” said Valiram executive director Sharan Valiram.

“We are indeed privileged to be able to partner Jesselton Waterfront Holdings in developing this first-of-its-kind downtown duty-free retail in East Malaysia. The shopping experience here is set to reshape the retail environment in Sabah,” Sharan added.

Jesselton Duty-Free is part of Jesselton Residences, a three-block high-end residential condominium complex next to the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. Jesselton Residences is also an iconic seafront landmark in the central business district of Kota Kinabalu.

“With Kota Kinabalu being a prized destination among international travellers, Valiram, together with Jesselton Waterfront Holdings, is confident that the outlet will invigorate the retail market and offer tourists a more competitive shopping experience. The elegantly appointed boutiques will offer shoppers a compelling experience and exceptional service — a hallmark of Valiram,” the statement added.