MRCA AIMS TO STRATEGICALLY STIMULATE THE GROWTH OF THE RETAIL & FRANCHISE INDUSTRY THROUGH NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH ELEMENTS OF RETAIL EXPO AND CONFERENCE

MRCA ATTRACTS NEW MAJOR PARTNERS: MYWORLD REWARDS, TM ONE, MBE MAILBOX, GINTELL, PNS, GLORIA JEANS COFFEE AS WELL AS THE ADDITION OF STARTUPS AT THE HATCHERY INCUBATOR ZONE TO INCREASE MIRF 2019 BY 30% KUALA LUMPUR, 13 June 2019 – The Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) will be organizing the 4th Edition of the Malaysia International Retail & Franchise (MIRF) exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from 18th to 20th July 2019. Themed ‘Franchise Forward’, the exhibition will emphasize on the role of MIRF as a platform for franchisee to explore the franchise venture industry while businesses are able to showcase their established brand name. The exhibition enables exhibitors, the industry and the public to engage and streamline the way the industries functions. This year, MBE Mailbox, Gintell, PNS and Gloria Jeans Coffee will be joining MIRF to exhibit their product and services to the industry and public while MIRF welcomes their new event sponsors who are MyWorld Rewards and TM One. The 4th edition of the exhibition will be centered around franchise brands which focuses on the two-way relationship between franchisors and franchisee. Franchisees are able to view the benefits of a ready-made business operation that includes the products, services and even well-established brand recognition such as Tealive, Sangkaya, Laundry Bar, MarryBrown, Smart Reader Worldwide and many more. Meanwhile, the franchisors also do benefit from this mutual relationship such as speed of growth, increasing brand equity, customer loyalty and international expansion. MIRF 2019 boasts to gather 18,000 visitors from more than 20 countries around the world with targeted revenue of RM 90 Million. The exhibition will attract more than 200 exhibitors nearing 400 booths and kiosks for local and 50 booths for foreign exhibitors namely from Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Singapore and more. MIRF 2019 has an addition of a new zone titled “Hatchery”, which is an incubator trade program initiative for startups by MRCA. The Hatchery zone, introduced for the first time, is an incubator program by MRCA to assist in the establishment and development of new retail businesses. The dedicated zone serves as a multi-purpose platform for the retail industry. Firstly, it provides an avenue for startups to exhibit their products and services to the market and public. Secondly, it presents an opportunity for the retail industry to grow and develop further to meet the ever-changing consumers’ needs by presenting innovative ideas, services and products. Lastly, the incubator program is an initiative of MRCA to drive the industry by ensuring a fair marketplace for startups to cultivate. PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “We believe that MIRF is a great place for innovation, economy stimulation, growth, development and exposure for the businesses involved in the retail and franchise industry. I am excited to welcome in our new major retailers that will be joining us this year as well as our new corporate patrons. This shows that MIRF is living up to its mark in being the marketplace to showcase products, services and to further develop brand presence. There has been an increase of 30% in booth sales as the take-up rate is phenomenal. We hope to continue this growth to become the leading exhibition for the retail industry in Southeast Asia,” said Organizing Chairman, Mr. Raymond Woo. The exhibition also aims to provide a platform as a catalyst for local and international exhibitors to interact and explore business matching opportunities locally and globally. In line with MRCA’s goal, the exhibition directed to maneuver cross-border retail expansion as well as a primary hub in Southeast Asia to seek retailers and franchisers prospects. Meanwhile, MRCA Retail Conference 2019 brings together some of the most innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs and retail chiefs that are enthusiastic to provide a series of lively and exciting presentations, debate, Q&A and networking opportunities. It will be held on the 19th July 2019 at the Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Themed “Retail Strikes Back”, the conference will see the crème of the crop in the retail industry to predominantly discuss and debate on, firstly, the current issues and challenges faced by both retailers and malls of all kinds at the local and global level and, secondly, the cutting edge strategies that both retailers and malls of all kinds need to embrace, develop and adopt in order to stay ahead of competition in the dynamic marketplace. There will also be 2 panel sessions held at the conference which will be “Retail vs. E-Commerce” and “Retail Space Transformation”. Joint Organizing Chairpersons Dato’ Bruce Lim and Mr. Nicholas Chong said, “We are thrilled to bring top notch line-up of speakers including top management from 11th Street, Fashion Valet, KL Pavilion, Sunway Malls & Theme Park and many more. Present at the MRCA Retail Conference will be the Guest of Honor YB Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan bin Md Yusof, Minister of Entrepreneur Development of Malaysia and YB Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister of International Trade & Industry. Themed “Retail Strikes Back”, we aim to provide an impactful learning experience to the audiences, to enlighten them with interesting facts & figures, unrevealed data and business strategies methods”. MRCA President Datuk Seri Garry Chua said, “I believe as MRCA, we have an obligation towards the industry, community and the public to organize MIRF and MRCA Retail Conference to create exposure and opportunities for collaborations, partnerships and networking. I also believe that it is our responsibility to govern and ensure that all parties in the retail and franchise industry have a fair chance in the marketplace. We hope with this initiative; we are able to assist the growth and development of the retail and franchise industries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, sponsors, the retail industry, the public and the media for their support over the years.” MIRF 2019 is endorsed by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). MIRF 2019 corporate patrons are Maxis, Fusionex International, Quill Automobiles, and RHB Bank. MIRF 2019 is supported PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), PIKOM, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Department of Trade and Industry Philippines (dti) and Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (MACEOS). # About Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), founded in 1992, is an association for chain store retailers and franchisors determined to enhance the retail and franchise environment in Malaysia and abroad. Today, the MRCA has grown to become an influential entity comprising of more than 500 leading retail chain stores and franchisors, including established brands such as Poh Kong, Secret Recipe, Focus Point, Rotol Food Chain, Subway, Senheng, 7-Eleven, OSIM, Bonia, Naza Motor, Mydin, Bently Music and many more