The Swedish fashion retailer H&M’s first Penang store in Gurney Paragon Mall opened on Wednesday 7 August.
Though doors only opened at 11.00, some turned up in the wee hours of the morning to join the queue, hoping to be among the early birds to shop in the sprawling, 19,000 sq ft outlet. Law student Arichana Kumar, 21, was the first in line and won herself a RM 300 gift card. She had lined up since 9.30 pm the night before, together with sister Tiviya, 17, who came in second.
Both of them are avid H&M fans, and had shopped in the retailer’s outlets in the United States, England and Singapore previously. They were delighted that the brand had finally come to their hometown.
“We’re super excited, and have been waiting for this moment for years,” Arichana told The Star Online during the opening.
She had just returned from an overseas holiday when her mother told her of the opening. The siblings rushed to the mall the evening before, had a quick dinner and claimed their spot at the front of the queue.
“We didn’t expect to be first and second as we thought there would be people here already. We spent the night reading, listening to music and chatting.
“It’s not really about winning the gift card but the privilege of being the first to shop here. I feel so lucky,” said Arichana as she was allowed into the store alone, several minutes ahead of the rest.
High school student Tiviya, who was among the following 150 customers who each got a RM50 gift card, was similarly overjoyed by the occasion.
H&M opens shop in Penang “My sister and I would be spending all of the credit we received today.
Arichana jumping for joy after being presented the RM300 gift card by Khairul. Standing in the background is Romero (second left).
“We’re planning to get some clothing for our mum as she was the one who told us about this,” she added.
The Gurney Paragon store is H&M’s fourth in the country, following three others in the Klang Valley – at Lot 10, Setia City Mall and Paradigm Mall. It joins the constantly growing list of over 2,000 stores in 43 countries worldwide.
It offers a myriad of concept apparel and accessories for ladies, men, teens, kids and babies. Current offerings include its pre-fall collection, with the fall collection set to roll in by next month, followed by its holiday collection in time for Christmas.
The ribbon cutting was performed by H&M Malaysia area manager Martin Romero and H&M Gurney Paragon Mall store manager Khairul Muazir Yusoh.
H&M Malaysia public relations and marketing manager Dawn Chow said the impressive turnout for the opening was testament to the brand’s popularity and its comprehensive range of products.
“After the success of our three previous stores, we are excited to finally be here in Penang as we continue our expansion within Malaysia.
“H&M has always offered fashion and quality at the best prices, and we’re pleased to add a new dimension to the shopping landscape here,” Chow pointed out, adding that a fifth store is set to open in Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur, later this year.
H&M at Gurney Paragon Mall is open daily from 10am to 10pm, and is located at 163D-1-11, 12 and 13.
