New retail stores at Brunei airport to attract more travellers

One of the initiatives under this plan is to improve the retail experience of passengers and public at the airport. A range of retail shops were recently opened at the transit hall which is hoped to further enhance services to passengers.

 

Local company MS Titanstar Enterprise recently launched several shops in the newly revamped transit hall of the Brunei International Airport.

 

MS Titanstar Enterprise Managing Director Hj Abd Rahman Hj Metasim said having been granted the tender to operate and sublet the retail stores in the airport’s transit hall, they are working towards making the transit hall a more attractive place for travelers to shop.

 

“After the airport renovations were done, there were only a few shops in the transit hall and when we were awarded the tender, the airport authorities wanted us to create a new retail environment,” he said.

 

The launch, which was held on June 5, were for four stores in the transit hall - Paloma which sells branded perfumes and cosmetics; Aewon Garment and Embroidery, which sells tourist souvenirs; Mubarak Book Emporium, which is a convenience store and a book store and Wellmart store, which sells imported chocolates and local products.

 

Hj Abd Rahman said apart from travelers having better choices when shopping, the availability of local products such as cookies and prawn crackers can help small businesses as their products will be exposed to other countries.

 

Existing stores in the transit hall include Sunju which sells handicrafts and Kipling bags and accessories. More stores will be opened in the transit hall in the coming months.

 

“The existing stores will be moving into the revamped shops and there will be a few more international brands coming sometime in September,” he said.

 

He said there are two brands that are in the pipeline which they are already processing. However, they still cannot disclose the brands as they are still awaiting legal confirmation.

 

MS Titanstar wants to bring in more brands in the future to enhance the transit hall as there is still more space to fit in other shops. However, they need to look at the brands carefully to ensure that they are selling quality products and unique items.

 

Despite having a small market, Hj Abd Rahman is positive that there will be better business in the next few months as Royal Brunei will be adding more flights and this will hopefully boost the retail business.

 

In an earlier report, RB Chief Executive Officer Karam Chand told The Brunei Times they are planning to fly to new destinations by collaborating with international airlines and improving its fleet as well as flight schedules.

 

“We (RB) are always looking for new markets. Recently we have found two and introduced flights to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Bali,” he said.