Just went to Plaza Pelangi today and it has been some 6 months since I last visited the mall. Located right at the heart of Johor Bahru city center and with it’s iconic rainbow facade fronting an important junction of the Tebrau highway, Plaza Pelangi has struggled to keep up with the new malls springing up all over Johor Bahru.
The mall is eerily quiet and you are able to find empty car park lots near the escalator lobby, something quite impossible just 2 years back.
With the exception of a few shoppers scattered around the various levels and sights of shutters drawn down at every level , you wonder if this plaza can continue its operations much longer. Doubts also linger if Metrojaya (already having a new presence nearby at Danga City Mall) would continue to stay as the anchor tenant.
Despite this, I enjoyed my shopping experience today as I do get the peace and quiet while shopping. The sales assistants Read on…
Since its grand opening in Jul 2011, the crowd at Tesco, KSL City has somewhat dwindled. In fact, the entire KSL city looks pretty quiet with the exception of food/eatery outlets at the ground level when we last visited on 30th Jul 2011.
For first timers, do not expect the Tesco KSL city to be equivalent to Tesco Extra, Tesco Bukit Indah or Tesco Tebrau City. The size of Tesco KSL City is about 70% that of Tesco Tebrau City. Nevertheless, it is not as crowded and still offers a decent range of products from fresh groceries, fruits, stationery, baby diapers, cereals and noodles.
Entrance to Tesco, KSL City, Johor Bahru
Promotions Section at Tesco, KSL City, Johor BahruFood Products at Tesco, KSL City, Johor BahruFood Products at Tesco, KSL City, Johor Bahru
If you are deciding on which of the Tesco outlets to visit during your day trip to Johor Bahru, we did up a quick comparison for your reference below:
1. Tesco KSL City
Pros:
Nearest to Johor Bahru CIQ, first 2 hours of parking free if you spend more than RM5.00 (yes, only RM5.00), plenty of shopping attractions at KSL City itself.
Cons:
Lower product range compared to other Tesco stores in Johor Bahru, less Read on…
The Store – a flagship shopping mall located at Plaza Sentosa (Taman Sentosa) has been in operations for a good 20 years in Johor Bahru. Despite intense competition in the 1990s from Pacific (which has since merged into the same company as The Store) and the more exciting malls which had sprung up in Johor Bahru (KSL City, Aeon Bukit Indah, Sutera Mall etc…), The Store has managed to crave up a niche for itself as a one-stop shop for household products at very reasonable prices. In addition, the close proximity to the Johor Bahru CIQ makes it an attractive destination for Singaporeans whom do not want to travel too far in to Johor Bahru.
The Store has a total of 4 storeys:
1st level – Consist mainly groceries, home fix DIY materials as well as promotional items.
2nd Level – Men’s fashion Department selling long sleeved shirts, pants, leather shoes, Bermudas, jeans…
3rd Level – Ladies fashion Department selling skirts, dresses, bras, high-heel shoes…
4th Level – Stationary,Toys and Baby Department, selling loads of toys, diapers and baby wear.
The Store, Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru
Pull Factors Price – While prices for groceries are slightly more expensive as compared to Hypermarts like Tesco and Carrefour, the baby products are sold at very compelling prices.
Product Range – The product range is comprehensive. For example, the Baby Department carries all major diaper brands and sells even items like baby umbrella (to keep out the mosquitoes) and nostril air blowers. At both Men’s and Ladies Fashion Departments, the variety of products can rival Parkson Grand and Metrojaya.
