GEORGE TOWN: Mercato, an European inspired premium groceries and fresh ingredients retailer, has expanded its wings to Penang with the official launch of the Mercato Gurney here today.
Mercato Gurney is the third Mercato store in Malaysia after Mercato Pavilion and Mercato Hartamas in Kuala Lumpur.
Director of store operations, Malaysia and Singapore, Mark Scates said the supermarket retailer is planning to open up more stores across Malaysia, with one confirmed site also in the Klang Valley.
He said they had obtained the necessary approvals to begin works on the new site.
"We are also engaging in talks with various quarters on the possibility of opening up more stores around the country in the near future. This is a process which takes time," he said when met at the opening of Mercato Gurney here today.
Also present at the official opening were Mercato regional manager John Gilbert and store manager Hartono Mohamad Rasyid.
Scates said since May this year, Mercato had also refreshed 32 stores across the country, including Giant hypermarkets and supermarkets.
On Mercato Gurney, Scates said a significant amount of investment had been poured into the store to ensure its success.
He, however, could not provide specific details, saying that some works are still ongoing.
He added that over 2,000 new products have been added, and an even wider range of unique and international selections ranging from air flown fresh flowers, fresh herb pots to delicacies such as an unbeatable line-up of cheese selection, meats, live tank seafood and wines.
It also features the freshest produce from the newly-extended Japanese and Korean flavours as well as organic produce.
Shoppers can also savour the exceptional range of delicatessen along the newly curated aisles, turning their ordinary shopping trips into unique gourmet journeys.
"We, at Mercato, believe in bringing quality, value and a wholesome retail experience to customers.
"We have always put customers' first and strive to understand customers' preferences, which have led to the findings that premium supermarkets have become increasingly popular, especially among the middle-class Malaysians demanding a variety of imported products," he said.
GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (GCH), a subsidiary of Dairy Farm International, is the operator of Giant hypermarkets and supermarkets chain, Cold Storage, Mercato and Jasons Food Hall premium grocery stores.