Kuala Lumpur, 27 August 2021 

AEON CO. (M) BHD. (AEON or the Company) announces today for the first half ended 30 June 2021, the Company has posted a higher profit before tax of RM69.8 million from a total revenue of RM1.89 billion, despite Movement Control Order (MCO) directives on closure of non-essential services and tenants’ operations. It is 166.5% higher than the previous year corresponding period profit before tax of RM26.2 million. For the first half of the current year, the Company experienced 57 days of closure of non-essential services and tenants’ operations, compared to 46 days in the preceding corresponding period. The management continues to explore measures to improve cost efficiency in response to the current market condition.

Shafie Shamsuddin, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEON said, “The first six months of 2021 have been more challenging as compared to the first half of last year. Nonetheless, we are thankful to be able to pivot and respond to the market by leveraging our ecosystem and the agility of our employees. One example is the activation of our ‘Ramadan-Raya Bersama AEON – Raikan Dengan Kesyukuran’ campaign. We provided new and innovative offerings, personalised approach, collaborated with key influencers and leveraged on our online and offline platforms.”

“While these second quarter results demonstrate the continuation of our transformation strategies, AEON is cognisant of consumers’ wary and cautious sentiment towards new COVID-19 cases. The Company is cautiously optimistic on the path to recovery. It is very important for the situation to return to a state of normalcy as soon as possible by achieving herd immunity,” Shafie added.

In the spirit of uplifting customers in conjunction with National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, AEON is organising a sales campaign from 27 August until 16 September 2021 themed Bersyukur, Berjuang and Bangkit.

Furthermore, the Company is ramping up its sustainability agenda focusing on the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs by providing the guidance and opportunities for them to scale up. This is part of AEON’s Sayap Bagimu sustainability initiative to improve the economic status of the entrepreneurs, create employment opportunities and generate income for the local community. In line with this, AEON also recently launched PUPUK@AEON on 3 August 2021 with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), targeting at micro entrepreneurs based around MCMC’s community internet centres nationwide.