Our History
It all began in Japan when a merger of hearts was initiated. Since then, it’s been a long and rewarding journey to where we are now.
A Small Beginning
With Big Dreams
Our beginning is a unique one. It started with a dream that came into the minds of Takuya Okada who travelled to the United States. Looking for inspiration for his mid-sized retail business back in Japan, he took a trip and was astounded by the large-scale retail chains that dominated the USA. He returned back home to Japan with a seed of enthusiasm within him.
He shared his dream with Kazuchi Futagi and Jiro Inoue, owners of their own mid-sized retail business. The proposal: to come together and join efforts to create a massive conglomerate to provide Japanese customers the best value, product and service.
In 1969 Japan, our three founders came together and the Japan United Stores Company, or JUSCO for short, was formed. They dubbed it ‘the merger of hearts’.
In their manifesto, they included a line became their philosophy. The line read “From this day forward, all members who join us will be welcomed equally”. To expand their offerings, they partnered with businesses all over Japan and with its clear mission from the heart, success came quickly. Soon, it grew and became a nationwide chain. Throughout the years, it adapted to fit their customers’ needs. From just retail, it expanded to real estate development, services and financial industries. In 1989, the company was renamed as AEON Co., Ltd.
In 1984, the company set its heart in Malaysia. It accepted the Malaysian Government’s invitation to help modernize the country’s retail industry and JAYA JUSCO STORES SDN. BHD was set up. After years of being one with the Malaysian population’s shopping experience, the company officially changed to AEON CO. (M) BHD. in September 2004.
With roots in a Latin word that translates to eternity, AEON became our name and our goal; of eternally striving to live our philosophy where the customers always come first. Continuously changing to provide and suit the needs and desires of its customers, AEON’s goal has never wavered.
September
- JAYA JUSCO STORES SDN BHD established, in response to a request from Prime Minister Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, to help modernise the retailing industry in Malaysia.
June
- The first pilot store, JAYA JUSCO Dayabumi, opened.
December
- The second pilot store, JAYA JUSCO Taman Tun Dr. Ismail opened.
June
- JAYA JUSCO Dayabumi closed.
October
- The first Superstore, JAYA JUSCO Taman Maluri, opened.
October
- JUSCO Melaka was opened and fully operated by Malaysian staff. The AEON Group’s “Hometown Forest” programme was launched simultaneously at the inauguration of JUSCO Melaka.
June
- JAYA JUSCO Taman Tun Dr. Ismail closed.
August
- JUSCO Bandar Utama (1 Utama Shopping Centre) opened.
October
- JUSCO Bandar Baru Klang (Bukit Raja Shopping Centre) opened.
December
- JAYA JUSCO STORES BHD was listed on the Main Board of the KLSE.
December
- JUSCO Melaka Superstore was upgraded to a Shopping Centre.
December
- JUSCO Mid Valley opened.
December
- JUSCO Taman Maluri Superstore was upgraded to a Shopping Centre.
- JUSCO Bandar Puchong opened.
October
- Launch of With All Our Hearts (WAOH) Charity Fund / JUSCO Fest / JUSCO’s 17th Anniversary.
November
- 22 Malaysian students and 2 former participants from the 1990 batch were invited to Japan as ‘Ambassadors’ through the AEON “1% Club” Programme.
April
- Establishment of JUSCO-OUM Retail Centre in Alpha Angle Shopping Centre, at Wangsa Maju.
July
- JUSCO Taman Universiti opened, Japan Management Training Programme reactivated.
July
- WAOH Charity Bazaar.
August
- WAOH Charity Bazaar.
October
- JUSCO Home Centre opened in 1 Utama Shopping Centre.
December
- 3,000 seedlings were planted in the vicinity of the JUSCO Permas Jaya store as part of AEON’s environmental campaign, ‘Planting Seeds of Growth’.
- JUSCO Permas Jaya Shopping Centre opened.
January
- JUSCO Metro Prima Tree Planting Ceremony was held. 2,000 seedlings were planted.
- JUSCO Metro Prima Shopping Centre opened.
June
- WAOH Charity Fund officially registered as the “WAOH” Malaysian JUSCO Foundation.
August
- Company authorised share capital increased from RM100,000,000 to RM500,000,000.
September
- JAYA JUSCO STORES BHD. officially changed name to AEON CO. (M) BHD.
- JUSCO celebrated 20th Anniversary in Malaysia with Gala Dinner.
- Official launch of “WAOH” Malaysian JUSCO Foundation.
- 30,000 seedlings planted in the Malaysia-Japan Friendship Forest, AEON Woodland, Paya Indah Wetlands.
October
- Completed Bonus Issue (1:1) for 87,750,000 new Ordinary Shares.
March
- AEON CO. (M) BHD. received a certificate of appreciation from the Prime Minister for its tree planting activities.
July
- Charity Gala Dinner was held.
August
- The management of AEON CO. (M) BHD. met with the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Utama Hj Mohamad Bin Hj Hasan.
September
- JUSCO Seremban 2 Tree Planting ceremony was held. 3,300 seedlings were planted. JUSCO Seremban 2 opened.
October
- JUSCO J-One Supermarket opened at Damansara Damai.
December
- AEON Tebrau City Tree Planting ceremony was held. 6,000 seedlings were planted.
January
- AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre opened.
April
- Change of financial year end.
June
- AEON Taman Equine Tree Planting ceremony was held. 4,000 seedlings were planted.
July
- AEON Taman Equine Shopping Centre opened.
- PASAR RAYA D’HATI (formerly known as J-One) Supermarket in Pearl Point opened.
November
- AEON Cheras Selatan Tree Planting ceremony was held. 4,000 seedlings were planted.
- WAOH Gala Dinner held.
December
- JUSCO Queensbay store opened.
- AEON Cheras Selatan Shopping Centre opened.
January
- PASAR RAYA D’HATI name change ceremony held at Pearl Point Shopping Mall.
September
- Pasar Raya D’Hati Kota Kemuning opened.
- JUSCO Bandar Sunway opened.
December
- Pasar Raya Maxvalu Desa ParkCity and Pasar Raya Maxvalu Ampang opened.
- JUSCO Bukit Tinggi (AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre) opened.